The former New Mexico judge and his wife were released from a detained prison after being accused of having members of a Venezuelan gang at their home.
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were arrested last month for tampering with evidence after federal agents attacked Las Luces.
They were released on Tuesday with $10,000 bonds each under certain conditions, court records show.
In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) officials received hints that Christian Ortega Lopez, a member of the fierce Venezuelan gangster Tren de Lagua, was a suspect in a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The former Mexican judge, wife, tried to hide evidence of illegal alien gangbang, DOJ prosecutors say
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, 68, and his wife, Nancy Cano, 67, have been accused of carrying Christian Ortega Lopez, a suspect in the infamous Tren de Aragaa gang in Venezuela. (US District Court for the District of New Mexico / US Immigration and Customs Enforcement / US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
“Nancy and Jose Cano are the owners of the facility,” the complaint said.
Court documents further revealed that Ortega, who illegally entered the United States from Mexico by climbing a barbed wire fence in 2023, was initially hired by Nancy Cano for repairs to the home, and later provided accommodation to the couple's guest house.
The former Mexican judge, wife, has been arrested for allegedly carrying illegal Tren de Aragua members
The HSI agent will escort Joel Cano, former Doñaana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Provided by KFOX14)
Ortega is being charged with being an illegal immigrant in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Federal authorities searched the Canos home on April 24th to find Ortega Lopez's missing phone. While questioning, Joel Cano appears to have admitted to authorities earlier this year that he “destroyed Ortega's phone with a hammer” and destroyed the rest of the city's trash can.
The FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge and alleges that she had prevented the arrest of an illegal alien.
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were arrested last month for tampering with evidence after federal agents attacked Las Luces, New Mexico. (Donjaana County Detention Center)
“Specifically, Jose Cano said he had destroyed his phone and admitted that he believes the phone contains photos and videos that are negatively reflected in Ortega,” the federal complaint states. “Through further questions, the agent confirmed that Jose Cano had destroyed his phone, which he believed included a photo of Ortega holding a firearm that Ortega uploaded to a social media platform that would be additional evidence against him.”
Federal officials seized other mobile phones from Ortega, which apparently contained a message showing him “pictures of Ortega in possession of firearms and ammunition.” In social media videos, you can see Ortega filming a “AR-15-style rifle with suppressors” with metal targets.
New Mexico judge resigns when TDA members allegedly arrested at home
Judge Joel Cano, Doña Ana County Magistrate. (US District Court for the District of New Mexico)
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Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March, and last month New Mexico The Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently banning him from holding a judicial office in the state.
Joel and Nancy Cano are in prison for up to 15 years. Fox News Digital has reached out to attorneys for comment.
“The rule of law is very simple. It doesn't matter what kind of work you are in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts and we will prosecute you,” Attorney General Pam Bondy said in a video message last week.
Louis Casiano and Jasmine Baehr of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
