LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A long-serving magistrate judge in Doña Ana County resigned suddenly earlier this year after federal agents arrested a Venezuelan national at a property tied to him.
Judge Joel Cano, a Democrat and former police officer, stepped down on March 3, days after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) raided a home linked to him and his wife, Nancy Cano.
Federal Arrest Sparks Scandal
During the operation, agents arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, a Venezuelan citizen accused of illegally possessing firearms.
Authorities say Ortega-Lopez is connected to Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational gang from Venezuela. He was found with several weapons, some of which appeared in disturbing social media posts. HSI launched the investigation after receiving a tip in January 2025. Officials allege Ortega-Lopez lived in Las Cruces with other undocumented migrants.
He entered the U.S. unlawfully in December 2023 through Eagle Pass, Texas. Border agents later released him under humanitarian parole due to overcrowding.
Ties to Judge Cano’s Family
Court documents reveal Ortega-Lopez had been living in a guesthouse behind Judge Cano’s residence.
He reportedly met Nancy Cano while doing maintenance work. Prosecutors say he later connected with Cano’s stepdaughter, April Cano.
She allegedly owned several firearms and allowed Ortega-Lopez to use them. Photos later surfaced showing him posing with guns, some posted to Facebook.
In one image shown in court, Ortega-Lopez appears smiling beside Judge Cano, raising concerns about the judge’s ties to the suspect.
Investigators also found video clips online of Ortega-Lopez socializing with both Joel and Nancy Cano. In one, he hands a long rifle to them.
Firearms Seized, Charges Filed
Officers recovered four guns from a nearby home tied to April Cano. Ortega-Lopez later admitted to shooting those weapons.
He now faces federal charges for illegal firearm possession. If convicted, he could serve up to 15 years in prison.
The scandal has rocked the local legal community and raised questions about vetting, accountability, and security in border communities.
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.
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
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