A Doña Ana County magistrate judge has abruptly stepped down after an alleged Tren de Aragua gang affiliate who is in the U.S. illegally was reportedly arrested at his home and charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation on Mar. 3 of this year.
Judge Cano, a former police officer who took the bench in 2011, told a Border Hawk source that he did indeed resign but did not comment further.
Border Hawk contacted the judge’s office on Apr. 1 and was told by a clerk that he had “retired.”
On Feb. 28, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez at a Las Cruces residence owned by Judge Cano following an anonymous tip.
Ortega-Lopez was reportedly caught by U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 15, 2023, at Eagle Pass, TX, after illegally entering the U.S. by scaling a barbed wire fence, but was released three days later due to overcrowding at holding facilities.
Ortega-Lopez is a Venezuelan national and authorities believe he has ties to Tren de Aragua, based on tattoos, apparel, and displaying of hand gestures.
Following his release into the U.S., Ortega-Lopez “eventually moved to El Paso, where he roomed with five other people,” the Albuquerque Journal reports.
“Court documents state that he met Nancy Cano [Judge Cano’s wife] 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.”
Las Cruces, New Mexico:
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
A Doña Ana County magistrate judge has abruptly stepped down following suspicious circumstances and a possible connection to an alleged Tren de Aragua affiliate.
As reported by @AlgernonWrites of the Albuquerque Journal on 4/16/25, Judge Joel Cano… pic.twitter.com/oVRUkLzUuo
A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media activity appears to show him shooting at a local range and holding multiple firearms.
ICE/HSI arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez at a residence owned by Cano on February 28, 2025 following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez entered the country illegally on 12/15/23 in Eagle Pass, TX and was released due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol Facility on 12/18/23. He is a… pic.twitter.com/g1dU269Nvy
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
An account purportedly belonging to the Venezuelan also features photos and videos that appear to show him socializing with Judge Cano, including POV footage that apparently shows Ortega-Lopez passing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy Cano.
A review of Ortega-Lopez's social media shows him shooting at a local range and holding multiple firearms. The page also shows photos of what appears to be Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, including Ortega-Lopez passing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
During his time in Las Cruces, Ortega-Lopez was introduced to Nancy Cano’s daughter, April Cano, “who possessed a large number of firearms,” prosecutors say.
April Cano reportedly allowed Ortega-Lopez to “hold and sometimes shoot various firearms.”
Ortega-Lopez admitted that he had possessed and fired multiple firearms confiscated from the home of April Cano, according to a criminal complaint.
Ortega-Lopez has been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition and is being held without bond at Doña Ana County Detention Center.
ICE HSI special agents arrested 3 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members for alien in possession of a firearm charges & seized 4 firearms. @USBPChiefEPT @ATFPhoenix @FBIAlbuquerque & DEA-El Paso LAS Cruces PD pic.twitter.com/9vcfhX553B
— HSI El Paso (@HSIElPaso) February 28, 2025
An investigation is ongoing.
Border Hawk will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
Special thanks to James Chavez Floyd for contributing to this report.
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