A former New Mexico judge and his wife have been released by Bond, accused of hiding a Venezuelan gang member in his home.
Former Doña Ana County District Court Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were arrested last month on charges of being tampered with after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home.
Under certain conditions, they were released on Tuesday with $10,000 in bonds, court records show.
In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) officials received a prompt that allegedly violent foreign terrorist organizations, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, was a member of a violent Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua.
Former Mexican judge, wife tries to hide evidence of illegal aliens, Justice Department prosecutor says
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano, 68, and his wife, Nancy Cano, are accused of possessing Christian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant allegedly the infamous Tren de Aragua Gang in Venezuela. (U.S. District Court for New Mexico/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
“Nancy and Jose Cano are the owners of the house,” the complaint said.
Court documents further show Ortega entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2023, climbed over a barbed wire fence, initially hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs, and later offered accommodation in the couple’s hotel.
Former Mexican judge arrested for alleged possession of illegal Tren de Aragua members
HSI agent escorted former Doña Ana County District Judge Joel Cano to leave his home on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Provided by KFOX14)
Ortega is charged with illegal immigrants possessing guns and/or ammunition.
Federal authorities searched the canoe’s house on April 24 to find the phone number that Ortega-Lopez was missing. During the inquiry, Joel Cano apparently admitted to authorities that he used a hammer to destroy Ortega’s cell phone earlier this year “dumped the remaining works in the city’s trash bin with a hammer.”
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Former Doña Ana County District Court Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were arrested last month on charges of tampering with evidence after federal agents attacked Las Cruces in New Mexico. (DoñaAna County Detention Center)
“Specifically, Jose Cano said he destroyed the phone and further admitted that he believed the photos or videos contained on the phone would negatively reflect Ortega,” the federal complaint said. “Through further doubts, agents determined that Jose Cano destroyed the phone, which he believed contained photos of Ortega possessing a gun, which Ortega had uploaded to the social media platform, would be an additional charge against him.”
Federal officials seized other phones from Oretga, which apparently contained messages showing his “affiliation of Tren de Aragua and photos of Ortega, possessing guns and ammunition”. In social media video, Ortega can be seen shooting “AR-15-style rifle with suppressor” on metal targets.
New Mexico judge resigns after alleged TDA member is arrested at his home
DoñaAna County Magistrates Judge Joel Cano. (U.S. District Court of New Mexico)
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Joel Cano resigned from justice in March, last month New Mexico The Supreme Court issued a ruling that permanently prohibits him from serving as any Justice Department in the state.
Joel and Nancy Cano face 15 years in prison. Fox News Digital contacts their attorneys.
“The rule of law is very simple: it doesn’t matter which industry you work in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts and we will sue you.”
Louis Casiano and Jasmine Baehr of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
