A New Mexico judge has resigned after being linked to an alleged gang member. Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano stepped down on March 3, just as Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old with suspected ties to the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, faced charges in court. Ortega-Lopez was arrested on February 28 for being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was held by Border Patrol for three days but was released due to overcrowding at a processing center in South Laredo. After his release, he met Cano’s wife, Nancy, who offered him a place to stay in a small house behind their home.
Prosecutors revealed that April Cano, the judge’s daughter, owned a nearby home where she reportedly had a large number of firearms. She allegedly allowed Ortega-Lopez to handle and shoot various guns. As a former police officer, Judge Cano permitted Ortega-Lopez to use his home address for an immigration relief request.
Social media posts obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office showed Ortega-Lopez posing with the judge and other illegal immigrants at a shooting range, where they appeared to have multiple firearms and a significant amount of ammunition. Some images also displayed Ortega-Lopez’s gang tattoos.
In a shocking twist, investigators found graphic images on Ortega-Lopez’s phone, including decapitated and mutilated bodies. This situation has raised alarms about the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang, which is considered a Foreign Terrorist Organization by former President Donald Trump. He described the gang as a threat to U.S. safety, involved in serious crimes and illegal migration.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about gang activity and illegal immigration in the United States, raising questions about the responsibilities of public officials in such matters.