The FBI has arrested former New Mexico Justice of the Peace Decide Juan Cano and his spouse Nancy Cano for allegedly harboring an unlawful alien with suspected ties to Tren de Aragua, a infamous Venezuelan gang recognized for trafficking, extortion, and violence.
The arrest comes simply weeks after Cano resigned from his judicial submit following a dramatic federal raid at his Doña Ana County residence, the place brokers apprehended Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an unlawful immigrant now charged with illegal firearm possession and gang affiliation.
The Gateway Pundit was one of many first retailers to report that longtime Doña Ana County Justice of the Peace Decide Joel Cano — a Democrat and former police officer — abruptly resigned after federal brokers arrested an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a residence he owns.
The bombshell resignation letter, dated March 3, got here simply days after federal brokers with Homeland Safety Investigations raided a property tied to Cano and his spouse, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun prices, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
The Venezuelan nationwide, who’s within the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to a ruthless transnational gang, was allegedly in possession of a number of firearms — together with ones linked to disturbing photographs and movies on social media.
In response to the press release:
HSI initiated an inquiry into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, following an nameless tip. Ortega-Lopez, an unlawful alien from Venezuela suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with different unlawful aliens in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had been in possession of firearms.
The investigators decided Ortega-Lopez had entered the US illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was launched pending removing proceedings. Social media proof confirmed Ortega-Lopez in possession of a number of firearms at a capturing vary in Las Cruces.
Ortega-Lopez is charged by prison criticism with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Courtroom filings present Ortega-Lopez had been dwelling in a “casita” behind Decide Cano’s residence in Las Cruces after allegedly assembly Nancy Cano whereas doing handyman work.
Ortega-Lopez, who had unlawfully entered the US by scaling a barbed-wire fence in Eagle Move, Texas, was launched on so-called “humanitarian parole” attributable to overcrowding — a tragic consequence of Biden’s wide-open border catastrophe.
As soon as in New Mexico, prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez turned acquainted with April Cano, the decide’s stepdaughter, who reportedly owned a cache of firearms and allowed the unlawful alien to shoot and pose with the weapons — photographs that later surfaced on Fb.
Much more disturbing, Ortega-Lopez is pictured in a single picture smiling alongside Decide Cano — a shocking picture now submitted in federal court docket as a part of the federal government’s detention case.
A assessment of Ortega-Lopez’s social media reveals video footage that seems to point out Decide Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing casually, together with a second the place Ortega-Lopez arms an extended rifle to each Decide Cano and his spouse, Nancy.
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A assessment of Ortega-Lopez’s social media exhibits him capturing at an area vary and holding a number of firearms. The web page additionally exhibits pictures of what seems to be Decide Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, together with Ortega-Lopez passing an extended rifle to each Decide Cano and Nancy.
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Brokers recovered 4 firearms from the neighboring property owned by April Cano.
In response to prosecutors, Ortega-Lopez admitted to having fired them. He now faces prices of being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and ammunition — a federal offense that carries as much as 15 years in jail.
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Courtroom issued a uncommon ruling, completely banning Cano from ever holding judicial workplace once more.
On Thursday, a viral video started circulating on-line exhibiting the arrest of Decide Juan Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano.
Extra from KFOX14:
KFOX14/CBS4 have been on the scene Thursday afternoon when the house of former Dona Ana County Justice of the Peace Decide Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and a possible trigger arrest warrant, and each have been taken into custody.
A spokesperson for ICE confirmed that Nancy was taken into custody as a part of an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Safety Investigations.
The raid comes after Cano had resigned in March following accusations that he and his spouse, Nancy, had hosted Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, and an alleged TdA member.
Investigators consider Lopez was employed by Nancy to work on the house after which later provided their place for Lopez to remain.
Paperwork from the investigation point out Lopez displayed clear indicators of affiliation with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, together with clothes, tattoos, voicemails, and textual content messages.
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