The strange saga unfolding in Doña Ana County, New Mexico is the kind of story that leaves more questions than answers—and at this stage, it’s raising eyebrows across the legal, political, and law enforcement communities. At the heart of the case is a now-resigned Democratic Magistrate Judge, a Venezuelan national with alleged gang ties, a stash of firearms, and a perplexing domestic arrangement that reads more like a crime thriller than a judicial biography.
Judge Joel Cano, who served on the bench since 2011 and is a former police officer, resigned just days after Homeland Security Investigations arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old illegal immigrant accused of being tied to Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization recently labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. government. The arrest occurred at the judge’s own home, where Ortega-Lopez had been living in a casita behind the main residence.
Now, technically, the judge didn’t cite a reason in his resignation letter. But the timing? Impossible to ignore. His letter, dated March 3, came just five days after Ortega-Lopez was apprehended on firearms possession charges. The judge’s final day on the bench, March 21, corresponded neatly with the final items on his court docket.
The full nature of the relationship between Ortega-Lopez and the Cano family remains murky. What we do know is deeply troubling.
Court filings and federal prosecutors allege that Ortega-Lopez was not just casually staying on the property—he was socializing with the family and engaging in firearms activity with them. Photos and videos allegedly show him firing weapons and posing with the judge, his wife Nancy Cano, and even April Cano, identified as Nancy’s daughter.
Venezuelan Illegal With Alleged Tren de Aragua Ties Arrested for Possession of Firearm While Reportedly Living at Home of New Mexico Judge
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano abruptly resigned days after ICE HSI raid at his house in Las Cruces
Full story coming… pic.twitter.com/UvkrAC2PDT
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 18, 2025
At one point, Ortega-Lopez was allowed to use the judge’s address for immigration paperwork. He was even reportedly introduced to April Cano, who owned additional firearms, some of which were found in a neighboring home connected to her.
This wasn’t some anonymous tenant hiding in the backyard. This was an embedded presence—trusted, involved, and in some cases, apparently armed. Whether there was a romantic relationship between Ortega-Lopez and April Cano is unconfirmed, but it’s a question that now looms large over the case.
Prosecutors allege that Ortega-Lopez fired several weapons found at both the judge’s property and April Cano’s home. These include handguns and rifles—some of which were documented on social media in December, well before his arrest.
Following his release into the interior, per D’Ammassa: “From there, prosecutors say Ortega-Lopez eventually moved to El Paso, where he roomed with five other people. Court documents state that he met Nancy Cano (Judge Cano’s wife) doing construction and handyman jobs, and…
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
A criminal complaint says he admitted to possessing and firing these weapons—an immediate legal issue, given that he is not only an illegal immigrant but also allegedly associated with a violent foreign gang. Videos circulating online allegedly show him at a shooting range with Judge Cano and his wife, raising even more questions about the level of awareness and judgment exercised by the family.
Currently, Ortega-Lopez is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, deemed a flight risk and a danger to the community. Meanwhile, investigators continue to piece together the exact nature of the Cano family’s involvement.
What this story has in abundance is legal gray area mixed with poor judgment. As it stands, owning firearms is not a crime—not even for a judge. And providing temporary housing to someone isn’t inherently illegal either. But when you mix:
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A federal firearms case,
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An illegal immigrant with alleged gang ties,
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A judge who allows use of his home address on immigration forms,
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And evidence of firearms use involving multiple members of the household,
You’re entering dangerous territory—legally and politically.
Questions now swirl:
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Did the Cano family knowingly harbor a criminal alien?
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Were firearms loaned or used illegally?
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Could charges related to harboring or material support for a criminal organization follow?
So far, no charges have been filed against Judge Cano, Nancy Cano, or April Cano. But this case is far from over.
