A startling discovery at a New Mexico judge's residence leads to an unexpected resignation and federal investigation.
Just The News reports that Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano has resigned following the arrest of an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member who was found residing in a guest house on his property.
The arrest occurred on February 28 when Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at the judge's residence, where they found Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old illegal immigrant with alleged ties to the Venezuelan criminal organization. The connection between the judge's household and Ortega-Lopez began when the suspect met Nancy Cano, the judge's wife, while performing construction work in El Paso, Texas.
Court documents reveal that Ortega-Lopez had been living in El Paso before accepting Nancy Cano's offer to stay in the guest house located behind the family's main residence. The arrangement raised significant concerns among federal law enforcement officials who have been monitoring the activities of the Tren de Aragua gang in the United States.
Federal authorities have taken Ortega-Lopez into custody, and he is currently being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center. The suspect faces federal firearm charges, though specific details about these charges have not been disclosed in the initial reports.
The case has drawn attention to the presence of international criminal organizations operating within U.S. borders and their potential connections to local communities.
Judge Cano, who had served as a magistrate judge since 2011, submitted his resignation letter on March 3, just days after the arrest at his property. The timing of his resignation has raised questions about the extent of his knowledge regarding his guest's alleged criminal connections.
From the judge's resignation letter:
Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful.
The brevity and timing of the resignation have sparked discussions about judicial oversight and security protocols for court officials. Neither Judge Cano nor his wife have made any public statements addressing the situation or their relationship with Ortega-Lopez.
The case has revealed the intricate nature of cross-border criminal investigations and the challenges faced by law enforcement in identifying and apprehending gang members. Federal authorities continue to investigate the full scope of Ortega-Lopez's activities and any potential broader connections to the Tren de Aragua organization.
Local law enforcement agencies are cooperating with federal investigators to determine if there are any additional security concerns related to the case. The incident has prompted discussions about screening procedures for household staff and temporary residents in judicial officials' homes.
The investigation has also highlighted the growing presence of international criminal organizations in the southwestern United States and their ability to establish local connections.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, was arrested on February 28 at Judge Joel Cano's family residence in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The suspect had been living in a guest house on the property after meeting the judge's wife through construction work in El Paso. Following the arrest and subsequent resignation of Judge Cano on March 3, Ortega-Lopez remains in custody at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, facing federal firearm charges while investigators continue to probe potential connections to the Venezuelan criminal organization.
