Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano has resigned from the bench where he has sat since 2011. He resigned after a suspected Tren de Aragua member was arrested in his home.
Cano is now under investigation.
Do you see how bad this is yet, Normies???
Although his resignation letter, dated March 3, did not state his reason for stepping down, it followed shortly after a man awaiting deportation proceedings was arrested at Cano’s home. The man is accused by federal law enforcement of being affiliated with a Venezuelan gang.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, faces federal firearm charges after Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant on Feb. 28 at a Las Cruces residence owned by Cano and his wife, Nancy.
Jose “Joel” Cano, a former police officer and Democrat, was first elected as a magistrate judge in 2010> He ran unopposed in three subsequent elections, winning his fourth term in 2022.
In New Mexico federal district court, prosecutors argue that Ortega-Lopez is a flight risk and a danger to the community due to an alleged criminal history. He has alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela.
Ortega-Lopez was taken into custody along with other individuals described as roommates in court filings. On March 3, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez on charges of being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
We’re just like Mexico with judges and who knows who else has gang friends with money.
Venezuelan Illegal With Alleged Tren de Aragua Ties Arrested for Possession of Firearm While Reportedly Living at Home of New Mexico Judge
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano abruptly resigned days after ICE HSI raid at his house in Las Cruces
Full story coming… pic.twitter.com/UvkrAC2PDT
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 18, 2025
Read the full story at Border Hawk News.
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