The Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) confirmed on Friday with the Daily Courner News Foundation that former New Mexico Democrat Judge Jose “Joel” Cano was accused of “tampering evidence” after his arrest Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon, KFOX14 captured video footage of Cano and his wife Nancy Cano, and was taken outside Cruces, Las, New Mexico, due to federal officials running a search warrant and potential arrest warrant. Additionally, the HSI, along with other federal law enforcement partners, said Nancy is being charged with “conspiracy to tamper with evidence as part of an ongoing HSI-led criminal investigation.”
“At this stage of the investigation, there is concern about the evidence tampering and destruction,” said Jason T. Stevens, a special agent at HSI. “However, we cannot disclose certain details to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and future litigation. We are committed to transparency and will provide more details as soon as it becomes wise to do so.”
The judge and his wife were arrested by federal agents [Screenshot/KFOX14]
Footage from the KFOX14 event showed Canos and his wife standing by the car with their hands cuffed to their backs as an agent wearing HSI and FBI vests stood nearby. In March, Cano resigned from his position in New Mexico after 23-year-old Venezuelan National Critigaropes was arrested by authorities for his property. (Related: “non-partisan” judge bound by liberal activities that allegedly helped immigrants avoid ice arrests)
According to Ministry of Justice (DOJ), federal authorities executed a search warrant in February in connection with illegal possession of a firearm and other crimes involving four illegal immigrants, including Ortega Lopez. According to the DOJ, Ortega-Lopez, suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, illegally entered the United States in 2023.
A report from the Albuquerque Journal, which obtained court documents, shows Ortega Lopez had met Nancy Cano and eventually accepted her offer to stay in the “casita” behind Las Cruces’ house. According to the DOJ, an investigation into illegal immigration began for him, “a allegedly lived with other illegal aliens in Raslune,” as he “he was in possession of a firearm.”
Ortega Lopez has been officially charged with criminal charges of being an illegal foreigner with firearms and ammunition.
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