Federal Officials Take TDA-Harboring Judge, Wife Into Custody
Former Democrat Judge and Wife Arrested for Alleged Ties to Criminal Gang
In a significant law enforcement operation, former New Mexico Democrat Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested by federal officials on accusations of harboring a member of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. The arrest took place at their Las Cruces home, as captured in a video by KFOX14, showing the couple being detained by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies.
Details of the Arrest
The video footage revealed agents, donned in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) vests, apprehending the Canos near their vehicles and handcuffing them. This action follows a search and probable cause arrest warrant executed at their residence.
Background of the Case
Jose Cano, who resigned from his judicial position earlier this year, found himself in the spotlight after 23-year-old Venezuelan national Cristhian Ortega-Lopez was arrested. Ortega-Lopez, who had illegally crossed into the U.S. near Eagle Pass, Texas in 2023, reportedly met Nancy Cano and was later invited to stay in a small guest house on their property, according to reports from the Albuquerque Journal.
Prior to Cano’s resignation, the Department of Justice had been actively executing search warrants in the state concerning illegal possession of firearms and other offenses involving four illegal migrants, including Ortega-Lopez.
Charges and Allegations
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An ICE spokesperson confirmed the couple’s arrest, stating that they face charges related to evidence tampering. Additionally, Ortega-Lopez faces accusations of illegal firearm possession and affiliations with the TdA gang. However, formal charges against the Canos have yet to be publicly disclosed.
The FBI has refrained from commenting further on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
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