Top Judge RESIGNS – ARREST Made!

A New Mexico judge abruptly resigns after federal agents raid his property and arrest a suspected Venezuelan gang member living in his backyard.

At a Glance

  • Democrat Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano of Doña Ana County resigned following a federal raid at his residence
  • Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, was arrested on the property
  • The illegal immigrant was found with firearms while living in a small dwelling behind the judge’s home
  • Ortega-Lopez faces up to 15 years in prison for illegal firearm possession
  • Social media evidence shows Ortega-Lopez with firearms and socializing with Judge Cano and his wife

Judge’s Sudden Resignation Following Federal Raid

Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano has tendered his resignation following a federal raid at his property that resulted in the arrest of an illegal immigrant with suspected gang ties. Cano, a Democrat who had served on the bench since 2011 after being first elected in 2010, offered no specific explanation for his departure in his resignation letter. 

The long-serving judge, who previously worked as a police officer, had been re-elected unopposed in subsequent elections and appeared to have a stable career on the bench until this incident.

Cano’s brief resignation statement notably lacked any reference to the federal raid or the arrest that preceded his decision to step down. “Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Cano wrote in his resignation letter, leaving many questions unanswered about his knowledge of or involvement with the suspect found on his property. 

Venezuelan Gang Member Found on Judge’s Property

Federal agents discovered Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national, residing in what court documents describe as a “casita” (small house) behind Judge Cano’s residence. Ortega-Lopez, believed to be affiliated with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, had entered the United States illegally and was found in possession of multiple firearms during the raid. The suspect had previously been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in December 2023 but was released due to overcrowding in detention facilities. 

Court documents reveal Ortega-Lopez became acquainted with the Cano family after meeting the judge’s wife, Nancy, while working as a handyman. The relationship apparently evolved to the point where Ortega-Lopez was given accommodations on the family’s property. During the investigation, federal agents recovered four firearms from a neighboring home owned by April Cano, identified as Nancy Cano’s daughter, further complicating the case and raising questions about the extent of the family’s knowledge of Ortega-Lopez’s activities. 

Legal Proceedings and Evidence

Ortega-Lopez now faces charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition as an illegal alien, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez following his arrest. Federal court motions argue that Ortega-Lopez presents both a flight risk and a danger to the community due to his alleged gang ties and illegal firearm possession.

Social media has provided investigators with substantial evidence in the case. Videos and photos discovered online show Ortega-Lopez not only possessing firearms but also firing them. Additionally, social media posts documented Ortega-Lopez socializing with Judge Cano and his wife, suggesting a level of familiarity that goes beyond a typical employer-handyman relationship. Ortega-Lopez has reportedly admitted to possessing and firing the weapons, as evidenced by the social media posts uncovered during the investigation. 

The case has raised serious concerns about border security and vetting processes for those released after illegal entry. Ortega-Lopez’s release due to detention facility overcrowding in December 2023, followed by his subsequent residence on a judge’s property while allegedly engaging in illegal activities, highlights potential vulnerabilities in the immigration enforcement system. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of any connections between the judge’s household and Ortega-Lopez’s alleged criminal activities.

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