National News
Ex-New Mexico judge arrested for allegedly harboring Venezuelan gang member
Former Doña Ana County Justice of the Peace choose Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, had been taken into custody on Thursday after federal brokers had attacked their las cruces at dwelling.
The 2 are confronted with accusations of proof which can be messing round within the midst of accusations, they cherished Crithian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged unlawful alien who can also be thought-about a member of the infamous Tren the Aragua gang of Venezuela.
“Underneath President Trump, we’ve arrested greater than 150,000 alien beings – together with greater than 600 members of the imply tren the Aragua gang,” stated Inside Safety (DHS) Kristi. “If you’re unlawful right here and break the regulation, we’ll rush you, arrest and lock you up. That could be a promise.”
The arrest follows an incident in February during which Ortega-Lopez was arrested within the Cano Residence. Judicial paperwork reveal that he was initially employed by Nancy Cano for dwelling repairs and later lodging provided within the pension of the couple.
The Supreme Court docket of New Mexico prohibits the choose after the alleged TDA member has been arrested at dwelling
Exhibition submitted on March 13, 2025, within the US v. Crithian Ortega-Lopez, described as “Crishian with the Cano household of their dwelling.” (American court docket for the New Mexico district)
Researchers found proof that related Ortega-Lopez with the Tren de Aragua gang, together with gang-related clothes, tattoos, voicemails and textual content messages.
In line with court docket paperwork, he entered the US illegally on December 15, 2023, by crossing the border close to Eagle Go, Texas, with out inspection or authorization.
A HSI agent escorts former Doña Ana County Justice of the Peace Choose Joel Cano from his home on Thursday 24 April 2025. (Because of KFOX14)
He was launched on December 18, 2023, awaiting removing procedures because of overcrowding within the Border Patrol facility. He acquired a notification to look, during which he provoke formal removing procedures firstly of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The choose of New Mexico resigns after the alleged TDA member has been arrested at his home
A Christmas picture from 2024 by Crithian Ortega-Lopez within the Household Home of Cano is court docket paperwork. (American court docket for the New Mexico district)
Additional analysis led to the seizure of 4 firearms from the April Cano Residence, the daughter of the couple. Ortega-Lopez was present in messages on social media pose with weapons, which he claimed to be owned in April.
He’s at the moment confronted with federal expenses as a result of he’s an unlawful overseas nationwide in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 USC § 922 (G) (5). If convicted, he’s confronted with a most of 15 years in jail.
“Doña Ana County has been a hotbed of unlawful immigration and drug trafficking, human smuggling for a few years,” former director of Ice Discipline Workplace John Fabbricatore instructed WPMI. “To see {that a} choose would let this occur. It is extremely worrying. It’s worrying. What else did the choose do?”
Exhibition submitted on March 13, 2025, within the US v. Crithian Ortega-Lopez, the alleged tren appears to point out the Aragua-Bendel member that consuming dinner with members of the CANO household. (American court docket for the New Mexico district)
Choose Cano resigned from his judicial place in March and on Tuesday the Supreme Court docket of New Mexico gave him everlasting to carry a judicial workplace within the state.
“The folks in New Mexico are uninterested in a system the place the highly effective don’t play in response to their very own guidelines,” Amy Barela, chairman of the Republican occasion of New Mexico, instructed the Las Cruces Solar-Information. “We demand an actual accountability for the connection of proper Cano with a gang-related felony and full transparency about how our judiciary is held on the identical legal guidelines as the remainder of us. Sufficient is sufficient.”
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Homeland Safety investigations proceed to steer the case, Kfox reported.
Pilar Arias and Bradford Betz from Fox Information have contributed to this report.