In a shocking and deeply concerning turn of events, former New Mexico Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested on April 24, 2025, for harboring a suspected member of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang. This brazen act of corruption has sent shockwaves through the state, exposing the dangerous lengths to which some are willing to go to protect criminal organizations—even those tasked with upholding the law.
The arrest took place after federal agents raided the Canos’ home in Las Cruces, uncovering evidence that the former judge and his wife were concealing Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a man with known ties to the violent Venezuelan gang. Ortega-Lopez had previously been arrested at their home in February 2025. Federal authorities have accused the Canos of not only harboring this criminal but actively obstructing justice to protect him.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison did not mince words when addressing the public. “Judges are responsible for upholding our country’s laws. It is beyond egregious for a former judge and his wife to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member accused of illegally possessing firearms,” Ellison said. His condemnation underscored the severity of the situation—one that calls into question the integrity of our judicial system.
Ellison made it clear that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will not stand idly by when it comes to foreign terrorist organizations operating within our borders. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling this foreign terrorist organization by disrupting its criminal operations in New Mexico. That starts by prosecuting those who support gang members—including judges,” he emphasized.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, revealing chilling details about Cano’s attempts to protect Ortega-Lopez. After being read his Miranda rights, Cano admitted to taking the suspect’s cell phone, beating it with a hammer to destroy crucial evidence, and then discarding the broken pieces in a local dumpster. Bondi’s anger was palpable: “This is the last person we want in our country,” she declared. “Nor will we ever tolerate a judge or anyone else harboring them.”
Bondi’s comments made it clear that no one, not even a judge, is above the law. “The rule of law is very simple: It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts, and we will prosecute you,” she asserted.
John Fabbricatore, former ICE Field Office Director, further emphasized the troubling implications of Cano’s actions. “Doña Ana County has been a hotbed of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling for many years,” Fabbricatore explained. “To see that a judge would allow this to happen is very concerning. What else has the judge been doing?”
The arrest has also sparked outrage from local political figures. Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, expressed the growing frustration of residents, saying, “The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules. We demand real accountability for Judge Cano’s connection to a gang-affiliated criminal and full transparency on how our judiciary is being held to the same laws as the rest of us. Enough is enough.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding our public officials accountable. The actions of Judge Cano—and the apparent ease with which he tried to manipulate the law—highlight the very real dangers of corruption within our judicial system. New Mexicans, and Americans at large, deserve better than the shameful behavior displayed by Cano and his wife. This scandal should serve as a wake-up call for the need for transparency and accountability at every level of government.
As the legal proceedings move forward, one thing is certain: this case will be closely watched, and those who work to undermine our rule of law will face the consequences.
