Overview

• Joel Cano, a former magistrate judge, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested by federal agents on April 24, 2025, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and are being held without bond.
• The couple is accused of harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang, in their guesthouse since 2024.
• Federal prosecutors allege that Joel Cano destroyed a cellphone containing incriminating evidence of gang affiliations and firearms possession by Ortega-Lopez.
• Investigators seized multiple firearms at the Canos' property and a neighboring home owned by their daughter, with evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to their use.
• The New Mexico Supreme Court permanently barred Joel Cano from holding judicial office earlier this week following his resignation in March amid the investigation.