Criminal Illegal Alien and Suspected Tren de Aragua gang Member Who Was Living with a New Mexico Judge Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and Destroying Evidence
Release Date: October 17, 2025
Judge, who provided safe haven to suspected Tren de Aragua gang member released into the country by the Biden Administration, faces criminal charges
WASHINGTON – Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, was living in New Mexico with Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano pled guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiracy to destroy evidence. He was arrested at the judge's house on February 28, 2025.
Ortega-Lopez posted numerous photos and videos of himself on social media accounts with weapons including an AR-15 style rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, and ammunition.
Federal authorities allege Judge Cano and his wife hired Ortega-Lopez for home repairs and later allowed him to reside in their guesthouse.
Following Ortega-Lopez’s arrest, authorities allege that Judge Cano destroyed a cellphone belonging to Ortega-Lopez by smashing it with a hammer and discarding the remains, believing it contained incriminating photos and videos. Nancy Cano, the judge's wife, is accused of conspiring to delete Ortega-Lopez’s Facebook account to eliminate evidence.
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/17/criminal-illegal-alien-and-suspected-tren-de-aragua-gang-member-who-was-living-new
