A New Mexico judge, Joel Cano, abruptly stepped down from his position following serious allegations involving a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang. The circumstances surrounding his departure highlight significant concerns regarding judicial oversight and potential security risks.
The official notification of Judge Cano’s resignation – dated March 3rd – was not received by the relevant court authorities until over a month later, on March 31st. This delay underscores complexities within the legal system.
Initially, Homeland Security Investigations Las Cruces began investigating Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January of this year. Ortega-Lopez, identified as an illegal immigrant from Venezuela and believed to be associated with the criminal gang, was reportedly residing with other undocumented individuals and possessed firearms – details emerging from documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
On February 28th, two search warrants were executed at a residence linked to Judge Cano’s wife, Nancy Cano. During this action, Ortega-Lopez and his roommates were taken into custody, and four firearms were seized from the property belonging to April Cano – the daughter of Nancy and Joel Cano, according to court records.
Evidence revealed that Ortega-Lopez had been actively involved in suspicious activities. Social media posts depicted him posing with weapons, some of which were allegedly owned by April Cano who admitted to allowing him to handle and even shoot firearms. Furthermore, he confessed to entering the United States illegally from Mexico in December 2023, initially residing in an El Paso apartment with five others before establishing a connection with Nancy Cano, initially for installing a glass door.
Subsequently, Ortega-Lopez continued to perform tasks for Nancy Cano, and after being evicted from his apartment in April 2024, she offered him use of her “casita” – a small house on her property – alongside her husband Joel. This arrangement was documented in court filings.
During Ortega-Lopez’s initial appearance in Las Cruces court on March 3rd, U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez raised questions about his relationship with Judge Cano. When Assistant United States Attorney Maria Armijo stated she didn’t know the judge, Martinez revealed he had encountered him outside the courtroom multiple times, stating emphatically, “I don’t think he would just let anybody live in his property.”
Despite these concerns, Judge Martinez ultimately determined that Ortega-Lopez posed no significant flight risk or danger and ordered his release. Subsequently, a motion filed by an assistant U.S. attorney sought to reconsider the pretrial release order.
Records from the Doña Ana County Assessor’s Office confirmed that the residence where Ortega-Lopez was arrested is jointly owned by Nancy and Jose Cano – who uses the name Joel – further complicating the situation.
Judge Cano’s resignation letter, dated March 21st, indicated his last day of service. “All the best to everyone of you,” he wrote, “I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
Following the resignation, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint a replacement to fill the remaining term of Judge Cano’s four-year appointment, which extends until December 2026. The Supreme Court has scheduled an oral argument for April 24th regarding Judge Cano’s case, and this hearing is slated for live streaming.
