Former New Mexico Judge Caught Harboring Gang Member Sparks National Outrage

The arrest of Jose “Joel” Cano, a former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, has become one of the most shocking cases of judicial misconduct in recent U.S. history. Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were taken into federal custody after authorities discovered they were allegedly harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, in their Las Cruces home.

Key Details:

Ortega-Lopez was living in a guesthouse on the Canos’ property for several months. He was described as a “handyman” but was later identified by ICE as a gang-affiliated undocumented migrant using tattoos, clothing, and social media posts as evidence.
The Canos were deeply entangled with Ortega-Lopez. Authorities found him featured in family photos, including at holiday gatherings, showing a disturbing level of integration into the judge’s personal life.
A raid on a second home, reportedly owned by Cano’s daughter, revealed four firearms, some believed to have been handled or owned by Ortega-Lopez.
The judge resigned in March 2025, shortly before the arrest, and was permanently barred from holding judicial office by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Jose Cano admitted to destroying Ortega-Lopez’s phone, telling investigators he believed it could implicate them in the harboring charges — which led to additional charges of evidence tampering.

Reactions and Consequences:

This case has ignited fierce debate on several fronts:

Public trust in the judiciary, especially in immigration-sensitive regions.
Security risks posed by undocumented criminal networks infiltrating U.S. communities.
Calls for stricter oversight and ethics enforcement for judges, even post-tenure.

The Tren de Aragua gang is considered one of the most dangerous emerging criminal networks from Latin America, with ties to extortion, drug trafficking, and murder.

Next Steps:

Cano and his wife are expected to face state and federal charges, and legal experts say the case could result in substantial prison time if convicted. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) continue to probe the full extent of Cano’s involvement and whether others within the local justice system may have been complicit.

In a case that has shaken New Mexico’s judicial system, former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested for allegedly harboring a suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in their Las Cruces home. The suspect, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an undocumented migrant, reportedly lived in the Canos’ guesthouse posing as a handyman until his arrest during an ICE raid on February 28, 2025. New York Post+4New York Post+4AP News+4

Federal authorities linked Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang through tattoos, social media posts, and clothing. A search at the home of the couple’s daughter uncovered four firearms, some allegedly belonging to Ortega-Lopez. Social media showed the suspect integrated into the family, including in Christmas photos. FOX 5 Atlanta+2New York Post+2New York Post+2

Judge Cano resigned from his position in March 2025 and was permanently barred from holding any judicial office by the New Mexico Supreme Court. Both he and his wife face charges of evidence tampering, with Cano admitting to destroying Ortega-Lopez’s phone, believing its contents could be incriminating. New York Post+3New York Post+3FOX 5 Atlanta+3 AP News+1New York Post+1

This incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of public officials and the potential for corruption within the judicial system. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in maintaining public trust in legal institutions.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community watches closely, seeking assurance that justice will be served and that measures will be taken to prevent similar breaches of public trust in the future.

Former New Mexico Judge Arrested for Harboring Gang Member