ICE Detains Former New Mexico Judge in Raid Fallout
Federal agents detain former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife in Las Cruces over allegations of harboring a suspected gang member.
Federal authorities detained former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into their alleged harboring of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member at their Las Cruces home, according to local news reports.
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The couple’s detention by ICE follows the February 28 arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national, at the Canos’ property. Ortega-Lopez, accused of ties to the transnational criminal organization, was living in a guesthouse owned by the Canos, court documents state. Cano resigned from his judicial position on March 3, shortly after the raid, and the New Mexico Supreme Court permanently barred him from serving as a judge on Tuesday.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the operation, with federal agents taking the Canos into custody, KOAT Action 7 News reported. Joel Cano has denied knowing Ortega-Lopez’s alleged gang affiliations, calling the claims “sensationalism at the highest possible level,” according to KOAT. No formal charges have been filed against the Canos as of Thursday evening.
KOB 4 News reported that three Venezuelan nationals, including Ortega-Lopez, were arrested during the February raid, with evidence showing social media posts of Ortega-Lopez posing with firearms alongside the Cano family. Ortega-Lopez faces federal firearms and immigration charges and remains in custody at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Cano’s term, which ends in 2026.
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