Judge’s Shocking Betrayal: Harboring Gang Ties

A wooden gavel and scales of justice on a wooden surface

A former New Mexico judge and his wife now face federal charges after allegedly sheltering an illegal immigrant gang member in their home—a shocking betrayal of the law that exposes how deeply border failures have infiltrated American institutions.

Story Snapshot

Former Judge Joel Cano and wife Nancy arrested for evidence tampering after harboring alleged Tren de Aragua gang member in their guesthouse
Illegal immigrant Cristhian Ortega-Lopez pleads guilty to federal firearm charges and faces up to 15 years in prison
Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, highlighting the severity of the threat
Investigators considering additional charges against the Canos, including harboring an illegal immigrant and providing material support to terrorism
Case reveals dangerous vulnerabilities in border security and raises serious questions about judicial integrity in border communities

Judge’s Stunning Fall from Bench to Defendant

Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy were arrested in April 2025 following a federal raid on their Las Cruces home. The couple stands accused of harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela with alleged ties to the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Ortega-Lopez entered the United States unlawfully near Eagle Pass, Texas, in December 2023 and was released from Border Patrol custody just three days later due to overcrowding—a direct consequence of the border crisis that plagued the Biden administration. Nancy Cano hired him for home repairs in early 2024 and eventually allowed him to live in the family’s guesthouse, where investigators later discovered firearms and evidence of gang affiliation.

Gang Member’s Guilty Plea Exposes Dangerous Criminal Network

Ortega-Lopez has pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, a federal felony carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Federal investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking him to Tren de Aragua, including gang-related clothing, tattoos, text messages, and voicemails. The Trump administration’s designation of TdA as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the gravity of this threat to American communities. Firearms were seized from the residence of the Canos’ daughter, April, where Ortega-Lopez allegedly had access. This case demonstrates the real-world consequences of weak border enforcement—allowing dangerous criminals to enter our country, obtain weapons, and embed themselves in American society.

Evidence Tampering Charges Signal Deeper Corruption

The Canos face federal charges of evidence tampering and were released on $10,000 bond each in April 2025. Federal prosecutors are now considering more serious charges, including harboring an illegal immigrant and potentially providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The involvement of a sitting judge—someone sworn to uphold the law—in sheltering a gang member represents an extraordinary breach of public trust. Former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore called the case “very concerning” and questioned what other activities the judge may have been involved in, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in border communities like Doña Ana County.

Border Crisis Creates Pathway for Transnational Crime

Doña Ana County has long been identified as a hotspot for illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. The release of Ortega-Lopez from Border Patrol custody in December 2023, despite his illegal entry, exemplifies the catastrophic failures of the previous administration’s immigration policies. He was issued a Notice to Appear and placed into removal proceedings—then simply disappeared into the interior of the country. This catch-and-release approach created the conditions for him to make his way to the Cano residence, where he remained undetected until Homeland Security Investigations received a tip in January 2025. The Trump administration’s renewed focus on border security and enforcement aims to prevent exactly these scenarios.

National Security Implications Demand Accountability

This case represents far more than a local scandal—it reveals dangerous gaps in how transnational criminal organizations exploit America’s borders and corrupt local institutions. Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela’s Tocorón Prison and has expanded throughout Latin America and into the United States, engaging in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and violent crime. The gang’s growing presence on American soil threatens community safety and national security. Legal experts note that cases involving judges harboring gang members are extraordinarily rare, and the potential consequences include disbarment, loss of public office, and significant prison time. The case will likely set precedents for how foreign terrorist designations are enforced domestically and may spur legislative action to close legal loopholes.

Illegal-alien TdA Member Who Lived With Judge Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession, Evidence Tampering; Judge & Wife Indicted – The New American https://t.co/jushafv5KC

— Brian Lutes (@ExParteMerryman) October 21, 2025

The ongoing investigation continues as Ortega-Lopez awaits sentencing and prosecutors weigh additional charges against the Canos. This shocking case serves as a stark reminder that border security is not just about preventing illegal crossings—it’s about protecting American communities from the criminals, gang members, and terrorists who seek to exploit our nation’s vulnerabilities. The involvement of a judge in this scheme demonstrates that no institution is immune from the corrupting influence of weak immigration enforcement, and it vindicates the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to securing our borders and deporting criminals who have no right to be here.