New Mexico judge resigns after federal agents arrest suspected Tren de Aragua gang member at his home | Law Enforcement Today

LAS CRUCES, NM - A Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge has resigned from the bench where he has presided over since 2011. According to reports, Judge Joel Cano submitted his resignation on March 3rd and although he did not state his reason for stepping down, it followed shortly after a man awaiting deportation proceedings was arrested at his home.

The man, 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez has been accused by federal law enforcement of being affiliated with the dangerous Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA). Ortega-Lopez faces federal firearm charges after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant on February 28th at a Las Cruces residence owned by Cano and his wife, Nancy.

In his letter addressed to 3rd Judicial District Chief Judge Conrad Perea and court staff, Cano wrote, "Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful." The letter declared his last day would be March 21st, which dockets show was also the last day he had hearings scheduled in court.

Cano, a former police officer and Democrat, was first elected as a magistrate judge in 2010 and ran unopposed in three subsequent elections, winning his fourth term in 2022. The details of Ortega-Lopez's arrest and prior relationship with the Cano family are addressed in federal court motions seeking Ortega-Lopez's detention.

In New Mexico federal district court, prosecutors argue that Ortega-Lopez is a flight risk and a danger to the community due to an alleged criminal history, including ties to TdA. Court filings state that agents recovered four firearms from a neighboring home owned by April Cano, who is identified in court filings as Nancy Cano's daughter. 

A criminal complaint alleges Ortega-Lopez admitted to possessing and firing them, as seen in photos and videos posted on Facebook in December 2024. Ortega-Lopez was taken into custody along with other individuals described as roommates. On March 3rd, the same day Cano submitted his resignation letter, Ortega-Lopez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez on charges of being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

If found guilty, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Cano and his wife declined to comment to reports, stating they did not want to jeopardize any of Ortega-Lopez's legal cases.

Previously, Ortega-Lopez was accused of entering the U.S. illegally by scaling a barbed-wire fence near Eagle Pass, Texas. After three days in Border Patrol custody, he was released on humanitarian parole ahead of deportation proceedings due to overcrowded facilities at the Border Patrol's South Laredo, Texas, processing center.

From there, prosecutors say Ortega-Lopez moved to El Paso, where he roomed with five other people. Het met Nancy Cano doing construction and handyman jobs, and accepted her offer to stay in a casita behind her home. In April 2024, Ortega-Lopez filed a request for immigration relief, listing the Las Cruces address as his residence. 

Prosecutors said he was introduced to April Cano, who "possessed a large number of firearms" and "allowed him to hold and sometimes shoot various firearms," including rifles and a handgun, as seen in social media posts. At a March 14th detention hearing, court records show that Judge Martinez initially favored releasing the defendant, prompting an immediate appeal by the prosecution. 

The appeal quotes Martinez saying of Judge Cano, "I don't think he would just let anybody live in his property." Ortega-Lopez remains in custody without bond awaiting a detention hearing.