Joel Cano, a former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 24, 2025, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The couple faces charges of evidence tampering after allegedly harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang, in their home.
Ortega-Lopez, who had been hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs, was offered accommodation in their guesthouse. During the raid, ICE agents uncovered gang-related evidence and firearms, some linked to Ortega-Lopez through social media posts. Ortega-Lopez now faces federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms, which could lead to a 15-year prison sentence.
Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March 2025 amid the investigation, and the New Mexico Supreme Court has permanently barred him from holding any judicial office. The case is being led by Homeland Security Investigations, with local Republican leaders calling for greater accountability and transparency in the judiciary.
