It sounds like a script from a low-budget crime thriller. A respected magistrate judge, a suburban home in Las Cruces, and a suspected member of a violent Venezuelan gang eating dinner with the family. But for Joel Cano, a former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge, this wasn't fiction. It became a career-ending reality that has sparked a massive debate about border security, judicial ethics, and how a foreign criminal organization managed to find "safe haven" in the guest house of a sitting judge.
Basically, the whole thing blew up in early 2025. Federal agents didn't just stumble upon the situation; they followed a trail of social media posts that showed a young man named Cristhian Ortega-Lopez posing with high-powered rifles and tactical gear. When Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) finally raided the property on North Raymond Street, they didn't just find a migrant worker. They found a man linked to Tren de Aragua, a gang so notoriously violent that the U.S. government has designated it a foreign terrorist organization.
The Unlikely Roommate
You've probably heard bits and pieces about Tren de Aragua (TdA). They started in a Venezuelan prison and have since spread like a virus across South America and into the U.S. They aren't your typical street gang; they're known for extreme brutality, human trafficking, and an almost military-like structure.
So how does a guy like that end up living with a New Mexico judge?
According to court documents and testimony, the connection was oddly mundane. Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally in late 2023. By early 2024, he was working odd jobs. Nancy Cano, the judge’s wife, reportedly hired him to install a glass door. One thing led to another, and after Ortega-Lopez was evicted from an apartment in El Paso, the Canos offered him their "casita"—a small guest house behind their main residence.
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For months, Ortega-Lopez wasn't just a tenant. He was part of the family circle. Federal investigators eventually produced photos of him eating dinner with the Canos. There was even a Christmas 2024 photo of him inside their home. To the neighbors, he might have just looked like a handyman. To the feds, he was a ticking time bomb.
The Hammer and the Cellphone
The real trouble for Joel Cano started after the initial raid in February 2025. While Ortega-Lopez was taken into custody for illegal possession of firearms—including an AR-15 style rifle he allegedly shot at a local range—the investigation pivoted toward the judge himself.
Federal authorities allege that Joel Cano didn't just provide housing; he actively tried to cover his tracks. In a move that feels remarkably desperate for someone who knows the law, Cano allegedly admitted to destroying Ortega-Lopez’s cellphone with a hammer. He then threw the pieces into a city trash dumpster. Why? Because he reportedly believed the phone contained incriminating photos of Ortega-Lopez with guns—photos that had already been uploaded to social media anyway.
His wife, Nancy, wasn't off the hook either. Prosecutors claim she conspired to delete Ortega-Lopez’s Facebook account to wipe away evidence of his gang ties and weapon use.
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Why the New Mexico Judge Tren de Aragua Case Matters
This isn't just about one judge making a bad hire. It has become a flashpoint for a much larger political fight. The Department of Justice and Homeland Security have used this case as a prime example of "activist judges" allegedly shielding criminal elements.
- Public Safety: Ortega-Lopez was seen in videos wearing night-vision goggles and holding tactical equipment.
- Judicial Integrity: A magistrate judge is literally responsible for upholding the law and setting bonds. Having a suspected TdA member in the backyard is, to put it mildly, a conflict of interest.
- The Federal Response: By October 2025, Ortega-Lopez pleaded guilty to firearm charges and conspiracy to destroy evidence. He’s looking at up to 20 years in prison.
Honestly, the fallout for Cano was swift. He resigned in March 2025, but the New Mexico Supreme Court went a step further, permanently barring him from ever holding judicial office in the state again. In April 2025, both Joel and Nancy Cano were arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. They were eventually released on a $10,000 bond each, a move that stirred its own controversy given the severity of the allegations.
Misconceptions and Nuance
It’s easy to paint this in black and white, but the defense has maintained a different angle. Cano’s legal team suggested he had no idea about the gang affiliation. They portrayed it as an act of charity gone wrong—helping a young migrant who seemed like a hard worker.
However, the "charity" argument gets a lot thinner when you look at the evidence. Ortega-Lopez referred to the Canos as "Patron" and "Patrona." He told informants he even received a firearm as a Christmas gift from the family. If you're a judge, you generally know that giving a gun to someone in the country illegally is a massive federal no-no.
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What Happens Now?
The Las Cruces community is still reeling. While 11 other TdA members were recently indicted in New Mexico for a separate, grisly RICO case involving kidnapping and murder in Albuquerque, the Cano case remains the most high-profile example of the gang's reach into the "establishment."
If you’re following this case, here are the practical things to keep an eye on:
Monitor the Trial Dates
The Canos are currently awaiting trial on evidence tampering charges. While Ortega-Lopez has already pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, the former judge’s fate is still in the hands of the federal court system.
Check Local Judicial Appointments
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has the task of filling the vacancy left by Cano. For residents of Doña Ana County, this means a new face on the bench who will likely face intense scrutiny regarding their vetting processes for staff and associates.
Stay Informed on TdA Activity
Tren de Aragua is actively being targeted by "Operation Take Back America." This means we can expect more raids and more indictments across the Southwest. It’s worth checking the Department of Justice’s District of New Mexico press releases for updates on how deep these gang roots actually go.
The story of the New Mexico judge and Tren de Aragua serves as a stark reminder that even the most secure-looking institutions can be touched by organized crime. Whether it was a massive lapse in judgment or something more deliberate, the legal system in Las Cruces will be dealing with the aftermath for years to come.