A former judge in New Mexico and his spouse are accused of concealing damaging photos and videos of an undocumented immigrant linked to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang, as well as sheltering other migrants, according to the Justice Department on Friday.
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, 68, and his wife, Nancy Cano, 67, were taken into custody on Thursday after federal agents searched their residence in Las Cruces. They are facing charges related to tampering with evidence in connection with harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.
“Judges have a duty to uphold our nation’s laws. It is incredibly irresponsible for a former judge and his spouse to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected gang member accused of illegal firearm possession,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to dismantling this foreign terrorist organization by disrupting its activities in New Mexico. This effort includes prosecuting those who provide support to gang members — even judges.”
FORMER NEW MEXICO JUDGE AND WIFE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SHELTERING ILLEGAL TREN DE ARAGUA MEMBER
An HSI agent escorts Joel Cano out of his residence on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Courtesy of KFOX14)
Ortega-Lopez came to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a tip that suggested he was illegally in the U.S. and possessed firearms. He initially entered the country on December 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas, but was released due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol facility.
It has been reported that Ortega-Lopez shared numerous images and videos on social media displaying him and other undocumented immigrants handling firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces. These weapons included a SIG Sauer P365 pistol, an AR-15 rifle with a suppressor, and other high-capacity firearms along with ammunition.
NEW MEXICO JUDGE STEPS DOWN AFTER ALLEGED TDA MEMBER ARRESTED AT HIS HOME
His social media presence indicated possible connections to the Venezuelan gang, showcasing gang-related tattoos, signs, and clothing, according to prosecutors. He also ridiculed a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of TdA members, noted Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Additionally, some images included depictions of two decapitated individuals, she added.
In January, federal agents received information that Ortega-Lopez was residing with other undocumented immigrants at a property owned by Cano, who was serving as a judge at the time, and his wife.
Four firearms were seized during a search of the property on February 28.
Joel Cano and Nancy Cano are accused of sheltering Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an undocumented immigrant and alleged member of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. (U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
These firearms, along with three cellphones belonging to Ortega-Lopez, were confiscated, leading to his arrest. When taken into custody, Ortega-Lopez was permitted to make a phone call. However, later video calls from the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC) revealed Nancy Cano holding a black iPhone that is believed to belong to Ortega.
During a March 7 call with Ortega-Lopez, Nancy Cano reportedly connected with someone named “Michelle” via WhatsApp, and then facilitated a FaceTime call between Michelle and Ortega-Lopez using her personal device.
During an April 20 call, Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez spoke about removing his Facebook account, which he allegedly used to share incriminating material, including gang connections and images with firearms.
Joel Cano and Nancy Cano allegedly sheltered Cristhian Ortega-Lopez. (U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico)
An April 24 search by federal agents sought Ortega-Lopez’s missing phone. Joel Cano admitted during questioning that he had destroyed the phone with a hammer five weeks prior, believing it held incriminating videos and images of Ortega-Lopez with firearms, and disposed of it in a dumpster, as stated by Bondi.
A forensic examination of the retrieved phones uncovered messages related to Ortega’s alleged criminal activities, including ties to the TdA gang and images of him with firearms, according to officials.
Joel and Nancy Cano could face up to 15 years in prison.
FBI ARRESTS WISCONSIN JUDGE FOR ALLEGEDLY OBSTRUCTING THE ARREST OF AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
“The rule of law is straightforward: It doesn’t matter what profession you belong to. If you violate laws, we will follow the evidence and prosecute,” Bondi said in a video statement on Friday.
A different judge was arrested for allegedly obstructing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant in Wisconsin. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, 65, reportedly confronted federal agents within a courthouse on April 18, instructing them to leave while they were attempting to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had been previously deported and charged with several counts of domestic abuse-related battery.
Flores-Ruiz allegedly assaulted a man 30 times and attacked a woman, Bondi mentioned. Both victims were present in court when Dugan learned that ICE was outside to perform the arrest.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan being taken into custody on Friday. (Obtained by Fox News)
“Upon becoming aware of a legitimate immigration arrest warrant, Judge Dugan insisted that agents required a judicial warrant and directed them to the Chief Judge’s office,” stated the Justice Department in a press release on Friday. “Once the agents left her courtroom, Judge Dugan allegedly chose not to hold a hearing on Flores-Ruiz’s criminal case, even though the victims were present. Instead, she personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted ‘jury door’ exit not commonly used by defendants or lawyers.”
This path led to a private hallway, which Flores-Ruiz and his attorney used to exit Dugan’s courtroom, according to prosecutors. He was eventually apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief chase.
Dugan faces charges including obstruction of proceedings before a department or agency of the United States and concealing a person to prevent arrest. She could be sentenced to up to six years in prison.
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, is an undocumented immigrant whom Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of helping to evade arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. (DHS/Milwaukee Independent via AP)
Flores-Ruiz had previously been deported in 2013 and reentered the U.S. illegally, authorities reported.
“Sanctuary jurisdictions that protect criminal aliens are a threat to American communities,” stated Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Justice Department will intervene when local officials prioritize politics over public safety. Reckless sanctuary city policies create a refuge for one category — criminals. Those days are over.”
