A Democratic judge in New Mexico resigned just days after an illegal immigrant and alleged Tren de Aragua gang member he purportedly harbored in his home was arrested.
Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano resigned on March 3, though his final day was apparently later that month. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Cano, a former police officer, has sat on the bench since 2011.
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Federal agents from the Dept. of Homeland Security raided former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano’s home on Feb. 28 and arrested 23-year-old Venezuelan national Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, court documents reveal. pic.twitter.com/kOJukMmYhj— Jim Sargent (@JimSargent73101) April 22, 2025
Shortly before his announced departure, on Feb. 28, authorities arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, and his roommates after executing search warrants at a home that investigators said Cano’s wife, Nancy Cano, owned. On March 3, Ortega-Lopez appeared before a judge on a charge of being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Democrat judge in New Mexico resigned last month just days after a suspected member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang was arrested at his residence.
On March 3, Judge Jose "Joel" Cano, magistrate of Doña Ana County, sent a letter to various court staff, including 3rd Judicial… pic.twitter.com/iVD2F9SzbZ— Mike Netter (@nettermike) April 21, 2025
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
“Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Cano wrote in his resignation letter, which The New York Post obtained. “All the best to everyone of you. I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
Homeland Security Investigations Las Cruces began investigating Ortega-Lopez in January, “following an anonymous tip.”
Fox News Digital, citing court documents, reported Ortega-Lopez, “an illegal alien from Venezuela and a suspected member of a criminal gang,” was “residing with other illegal aliens” and “in possession of firearms.”
The outlet reported that Ortega-Lopez apparently met Nancy Cano “to install a glass door for her” while living in an El Paso apartment.
“He continued to do a few jobs for Nancy Cano, and after being evicted from the apartment in April, 2024, Nancy Cano offered her ‘casita’ in the back of the residence she shared with her husband Joel Cano,” according to court documents, per Fox News.
Ortega-Lopez subsequently met Nancy Cano’s daughter, April Cano, reports indicate.
Authorities “seized four firearms from April Cano’s residence,” according to reports.
The Border Patrol held Ortega-Lopez for three days, but he was released on humanitarian parole because of overcrowded facilities at the Border Patrol’s South Laredo, Texas, processing center, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Ortega-Lopez purportedly entered the country on Dec. 15, 2023, apparently climbing over a barbed-wire fence near Eagle Pass, Texas, a popular entry point from Mexico.
Cano “allowed Ortega-Lopez to file a request for immigration relief using the judge’s residential address,” Breitbart reported. “Court exhibits also posted social media posts of the foreign national posing with the judge.
“Social media posts obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico showed Ortega-Lopez and other illegal aliens at a shooting range,” the site added. “They appeared to be in possession of multiple firearms and a large quantity of handgun and rifle ammunition.”
According to the report, photos and videos showed Ortega-Lopez with Tren de Aragua gang tattoos.
Ortega-Lopez, who was being held without bond, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez, the Albuquerque Journal reported. According to the publication, Joel and Nancy Cano declined to comment.
“I don’t think he would just let anybody live in his property,” Martinez purportedly said, according to the report.
“The Defendant is a danger to the community because he is a member of the United States designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Tren de Aragua and regularly associates with other members,” federal authorities wrote in a filing to keep Ortega-Lopez detained, arguing he is a flight risk, Fox News reported.
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint Cano’s replacement.
“The governor will appoint someone to fill the vacancy through the remainder of the judge’s unexpired four-year term that runs until the end of 2026,” The New York Post quoted New Mexico’s Administrative Office of the Courts spokesperson Barry Massey as saying. “Magistrate court judges are elective positions and they will be on the ballot in 2026.”
