A New Mexico magistrate judge resigned last month following the arrest of an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who was found living at the judge’s residence.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the execution of a federal search warrant on February 28.
Venezuelan Illegal With Alleged Tren de Aragua Ties Arrested for Possession of Firearm While Reportedly Living at Home of New Mexico Judge
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Full story coming… pic.twitter.com/UvkrAC2PDT
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 18, 2025
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The arrest took place at the home of Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano.
ICE HSI special agents arrested 3 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members for alien in possession of a firearm charges & seized 4 firearms. @USBPChiefEPT @ATFPhoenix @FBIAlbuquerque & DEA-El Paso LAS Cruces PD pic.twitter.com/9vcfhX553B
— HSI El Paso (@HSIElPaso) February 28, 2025
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Ortega-Lopez had been living at the property, according to federal court filings.
Federal prosecutors in the District of New Mexico allege Ortega-Lopez was illegally in possession of firearms and has documented ties to Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization known for its involvement in drug and human trafficking operations.
The gang has been officially designated as a terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
According to the criminal complaint, Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally via Eagle Pass, Texas, in 2023.
He was initially released on immigration parole due to overcrowding in federal holding facilities.
The Biden-era “catch and release” policy under which Ortega-Lopez was freed has since been reversed by the Trump administration, which has returned to strict border enforcement measures.
After his release, Ortega-Lopez reportedly spent time in El Paso, Texas, where he became acquainted with Nancy Cano.
He began performing handyman work for the Cano family before eventually relocating to New Mexico.
There, the judge’s daughter provided Ortega-Lopez with a place to stay in a small structure located behind her home.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Ortega-Lopez used Judge Cano’s official address when filing an immigration relief request.
They also introduced photographs of the suspect posing with Cano, as well as images and videos recovered from social media that showed Ortega-Lopez and other individuals at a shooting range handling multiple firearms and ammunition.
“WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE MORE LOYAL TO FOREIGN TERR*RIST THAN TO AMERICAN CITIZENS”
New Mexico Democrat judge resigned after ICE arrested an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member living in his home
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano allowed illegal Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, to… pic.twitter.com/fBHP6yXgRQ
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) April 21, 2025
One image submitted in court shows Ortega-Lopez holding an AR-15-style rifle in one hand and a semiautomatic handgun in the other.
A separate video reportedly shows him firing a suppressed AR-15 rifle until the magazine was empty, then quickly reloading and continuing to fire.
Additional weapons were discovered at a neighboring residence owned by the judge’s daughter, where prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez had access.
Photos submitted to the court also revealed gang tattoos associated with Tren de Aragua and graphic images of mutilated bodies.
Prosecutors used this evidence to argue that Ortega-Lopez poses a significant flight risk and represents a danger to the community.
At a detention hearing, federal officials stated that Ortega-Lopez is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
He faces charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms.
As of now, there has been no announcement regarding whether Judge Cano, his wife, or his daughter will face criminal charges for housing the alleged gang member.
Cano previously served as a police officer before taking the bench as a magistrate judge.
He resigned from his judicial position shortly after the arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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