Key Takeaways
- Former judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested for harboring an alleged gang member at their home.
- An undocumented Venezuelan with Tren de Aragua gang ties was found with weapons at Canos’ property.
- Joel Cano resigned as judge and was permanently banned from holding judicial office in New Mexico.
Shocking revelations have emerged from Doña Ana County as former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested following a federal raid on their Las Cruces residence.
The arrests are part of an ongoing federal investigation involving Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang labeled a foreign terrorist organization under a Trump-era executive order.
Who Is Joel Cano’s Wife?
While there is some public confusion around the name, this high-profile case focuses on Joel Cano, not Juan Cano.
However, Joel Cano’s wife, Nancy Cano, is at the center of the controversy, making the phrase “Juan Cano’s wife” a trending search term online as people look for details.
Nancy Cano faces serious charges, including conspiracy to tamper with evidence, for allegedly harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an undocumented Venezuelan national tied to the Tren de Aragua gang.
Ortega-Lopez was reportedly hired by Nancy for home repairs and was later allowed to live in the couple’s guesthouse.
Shocking Federal Allegations
Court documents reveal that Ortega-Lopez illegally entered the United States on December 15, 2023, via Eagle Pass, Texas.
Just days later, due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol facility, he was released and issued a Notice to Appear to begin deportation proceedings.
NEW: Democrat Judge from New Mexico Abruptly Resigns After Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Member Is Arrested for Firearm Possession at His Residence
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 19, 2025
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation in March.
In February, HSI Venezuelan national El Paso… pic.twitter.com/w0QG5WW5mm
Federal agents later received an anonymous tip in January, claiming that three undocumented Venezuelans, including Ortega-Lopez, Juan Manuel Acevedo-Leon, and Efren Jose Montilla-Castillo, were living at the Cano residence and had access to firearms.
A raid in February led to the arrest of Ortega-Lopez at the Cano property.
Investigators discovered gang-related clothing, tattoos, text messages, and voicemails linking him to Tren de Aragua.
NEW: New Mexico judge suddenly resigns after ICE arrests an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member in his own home.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 21, 2025
What a bizarre story.
Law enforcement executed a search on Magistrate Judge Joel Cano's home before arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who had ties to… pic.twitter.com/fQJMcy5W2F
Social media posts even showed him posing with weapons, some of which were allegedly owned by April Cano, the daughter of Joel and Nancy Cano.
Four firearms were seized from April’s residence. Ortega-Lopez is now facing federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
This felony could carry up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Fallout For Joel And Nancy Cano
In the wake of the investigation, Judge Joel Cano resigned in March.
Shortly thereafter, the New Mexico Supreme Court permanently banned him from ever holding judicial office in the state.
Venezuelan Illegal With Alleged Tren de Aragua Ties Arrested for Possession of Firearm While Reportedly Living at Home of New Mexico Judge
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 18, 2025
Judge Jose "Joel" Cano abruptly resigned days after ICE HSI raid at his house in Las Cruces
Full story coming… pic.twitter.com/UvkrAC2PDT
Federal agents also seized six cell phones, laptops, and documents from the Cano home during the raid, further indicating a broader scope to the investigation.
Former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore said,
“To see that a judge would allow this to happen… It’s very concerning. What else has the judge been doing?”
Nancy Cano was arrested Thursday, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has confirmed she is being held in connection with the ongoing case.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for transparency. Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said,
“The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules. We demand real accountability and full transparency.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem added:
“If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
The alleged involvement of a former judge and his wife in harboring undocumented gang-affiliated individuals has deeply rattled public confidence in the judicial system.
How it started | How it turned out
— Auden B. Cabello (@CabelloAuden) April 25, 2025
Federal authorities raided the home of former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, in Las Cruces, arresting them on charges of evidence tampering and conspiracy to tamper.
The raid followed a @BorderHawkNews… pic.twitter.com/AwFAA8jUWa
As investigations continue, both Joel and Nancy Cano remain under intense legal scrutiny.
Their association with individuals allegedly tied to one of Latin America’s most dangerous gangs marks a new chapter in the ongoing fight against transnational crime within U.S. borders.
