A Democrat judge in New Mexico abruptly resigned after federal agents raided his home and arrested an illegal immigrant gang member found living on his property with multiple firearms.
Quick Takes
- Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano of Doña Ana County resigned following the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang
- Ortega-Lopez was found living in a small dwelling behind Cano’s home and was discovered with several firearms despite being in the country illegally
- The illegal immigrant had previously been apprehended by Border Patrol in December 2023 but was released due to detention facility overcrowding
- Social media posts showed Ortega-Lopez with firearms and socializing with Judge Cano and his wife
- Ortega-Lopez faces up to 15 years in prison for unlawfully possessing firearms as an illegal alien
Judge’s Sudden Resignation Follows Federal Raid
Jose “Joel” Cano, a longtime Democrat Magistrate Judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, submitted his resignation following a federal raid at his residence. The operation led to the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national suspected of ties to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. Cano, who had served on the bench since 2011 after being first elected in 2010, offered no explanation for his sudden departure in his resignation letter, which came immediately after the federal operation at his property.
Federal agents discovered Ortega-Lopez residing in what court documents described as a “casita” behind Judge Cano’s home. During the raid, authorities found Ortega-Lopez in possession of multiple firearms – a clear violation of federal law given his status as an illegal alien. The Venezuelan national had previously been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in December 2023 but was released into the country due to overcrowding in detention facilities, highlighting ongoing issues with the immigration system.
BREAKING: DEMOCRAT NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTS TREN DE ARAGUA DESIGNATED TERRORIST LIVING AT JUDGE'S HOME!
The Longtime Doña Ana County Judge Joel Cano, A Democrat Has Abruptly Resigned After Federal Agents Arrested Alleged Violent Venezuelan Tren De… pic.twitter.com/TGsPbOGims— John Basham (@JohnBasham) April 19, 2025
Gang Ties and Family Connections Raise Questions
Investigations revealed that Ortega-Lopez was not a stranger to the Cano family. He reportedly became acquainted with them after meeting the judge’s wife, Nancy Cano, while working as a handyman. This relationship apparently deepened, as social media evidence showed Ortega-Lopez socializing with both Judge Cano and his wife. Four firearms connected to Ortega-Lopez were recovered from a neighboring home owned by April Cano, identified in reports as Nancy Cano’s daughter, further suggesting close ties between the illegal immigrant and the judge’s family.
“Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Cano wrote.
Federal court motions filed after the arrest argue that Ortega-Lopez presents both a flight risk and a danger to the community due to his alleged gang connections. The Tren de Aragua gang has gained notoriety for violent criminal activity across multiple countries. Prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of a gang member with illegal status possessing multiple firearms. Ortega-Lopez reportedly admitted to owning and firing the weapons, with social media posts providing additional evidence of his possession of the firearms.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences
Ortega-Lopez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez facing charges of unlawfully possessing firearms or ammunition as an illegal alien. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in federal prison. The case has drawn significant attention not only because of the gang ties and weapons charges but also due to the connection to a sitting judge who promptly resigned following the raid, raising questions about what Judge Cano knew about his tenant’s illegal status and criminal activities.
Cano, a former police officer who had been re-elected unopposed in several elections since first taking the bench, ended his judicial career under a cloud of suspicion. While no charges have been filed against the judge himself, the timing of his resignation immediately following the federal operation has fueled speculation about his knowledge of Ortega-Lopez’s activities. The case continues to develop as authorities investigate the full extent of the relationship between the Venezuelan national and the Cano family.
