A recently-retired New Mexico judge and his wife have been arrested amid allegations they harbored and possibly armed an illegal alien with suspected ties to Tren de Aragua at their residence, according to reports.
Federal authorities raided the home of former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, on Thursday afternoon.
Both Canos were taken into custody after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a search warrant and probable cause arrest warrant at their house in Las Cruces amid an ongoing probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), KFOX14 reports.
The former judge and police officer has reportedly been charged with tampering with evidence and his wife faces a charge of conspiracy to tamper.
NEW: Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy have been detained/arrested.
The home of a former judge in Las Cruces was raided Thursday, following accusations that he and his wife had an alleged Tren de Aragua member living in their home. @KFOX14 cameras captured the moment both Cano… https://t.co/WkdCPgNnK0 pic.twitter.com/q776tjCXLa— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 24, 2025
The bust comes after Border Hawk exposed the ex-judge’s apparent ties to the alleged gangbanger, identified as Venezuelan citizen Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who was reportedly living with the Cano family when he was arrested by HSI El Paso on Feb. 28.
Days later, Cano abruptly stepped down from the bench, but his departure received little attention.
On Friday, Border Hawk published photographs and videos apparently showing Ortega-Lopez socializing with the Cano family – and even passing around and shooting weapons allegedly belonging to them.
A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media shows him shooting at a local range and holding multiple firearms. The page also shows photos of what appears to be Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, including Ortega-Lopez passing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Ortega-Lopez admitted that he had possessed and fired multiple firearms confiscated from the home of April Cano, according to a criminal complaint.
ICE/HSI arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez at a residence owned by Cano on February 28, 2025 following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez entered the country illegally on 12/15/23 in Eagle Pass, TX and was released due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol Facility on 12/18/23. He is a… pic.twitter.com/g1dU269Nvy
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Authorities believe Ortega-Lopez was invited to live in a casita on the Cano’s property after he developed a friendship with Nancy Cano while doing handyman work for her.
Ortega-Lopez was reportedly caught by U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 15, 2023, at Eagle Pass, TX, after illegally entering the U.S. by scaling a barbed wire fence, but was released three days later due to overcrowding at holding facilities.
Ortega-Lopez has been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition and is being held without bond at Doña Ana County Detention Center.
Border Hawk will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
Border Hawk White House correspondent Wid Lyman contributed to this report.
