Jose Luis Cano, a former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested Friday on charges of tampering with evidence related to an investigation involving a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to federal court records.
Cano, also known as Joel Cano, faces a federal charge of evidence tampering, while his wife is charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence. CNN has reached out to the Canos’ attorney for comment.
The case centers around Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an undocumented Venezuelan migrant charged earlier this year with unlawful possession of firearms or ammunition. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began probing Ortega-Lopez in January after receiving an anonymous tip that he was living in a property owned by the Canos in Las Cruces, New Mexico, while allegedly carrying firearms.
Suspected Gang Connections
Ortega-Lopez had posted photos and videos online, appearing at a shooting range and displaying handguns and assault-style rifles. Investigators identified tattoos, clothing, and hand gestures linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang now operating in the United States, involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, extortion, and other crimes, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
In a statement to authorities, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “This is the last person we want in our country, nor will we ever tolerate a judge or anyone else harboring them.”
Despite the allegations, Cano insists he had no prior knowledge of Ortega-Lopez’s suspected gang ties, maintaining that he only learned about the allegations during a law enforcement raid. In a previously filed 23-page letter to the New Mexico Supreme Court, Cano wrote:
“Let me be as crystal clear as possible: The very first time I ever heard that (the men) could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by (the) agents on the day of the raid.”
Evidence Tampering Allegations
Search warrants executed in February led to the discovery of three phones belonging to Ortega-Lopez at the Canos’ home, along with firearms found at another property. Further investigation revealed recorded jail calls in which Ortega-Lopez and Nancy Cano discussed deleting his Facebook accounts and referenced a fourth phone.
During a second search of the Canos’ property on Thursday, Jose Luis Cano admitted to investigators that he had destroyed Ortega-Lopez’s phone with a hammer and discarded the pieces in a public dumpster, believing the device contained incriminating images of Ortega-Lopez with firearms.
Court documents allege that Nancy Cano communicated directly with Ortega-Lopez about deleting online evidence, prompting the conspiracy charge against her.
Legal Fallout
Following the scandal, Jose Luis Cano resigned from his judgeship in March. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued an order permanently barring him from holding or seeking judicial office in the state.
CNN has reached out to ICE and the U.S. Attorney General’s Office for additional details on the ongoing investigation.
