A New Mexico judge abruptly resigned after federal agents arrested an alleged member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang living on his property — a scandal that has sparked public outrage and left the judicial system scrambling.
Magistrate Judge Joel Cano of Doña Ana County officially stepped down in a resignation letter dated March 3. But curiously, the letter wasn’t received by the state’s Supreme Court or 3rd Judicial District Court until March 31, long after the arrest of Venezuelan national Cristhian Ortega-Lopez — an undocumented immigrant and suspected gang member.
According to federal court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Homeland Security Investigations had been tracking Ortega-Lopez since January. He was allegedly living with a group of undocumented immigrants and had access to firearms — all while residing at a home tied to the Cano family.
On February 28, federal agents executed two search warrants at a residence registered to Nancy Cano, the judge’s wife. There, they arrested Ortega-Lopez and his roommates and seized four firearms — all found inside the residence of April Cano, the judge’s daughter.
Photos on Ortega-Lopez’s social media reportedly showed him brandishing firearms, some of which he claimed were provided by April Cano, who also allegedly allowed him to shoot them.
Court filings reveal Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in December 2023. He met Nancy Cano while working construction and, after being evicted from his El Paso apartment, was offered lodging in the “casita” at the back of the Cano residence.
The situation grew murkier when U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez presided over Ortega-Lopez’s detention hearing on March 14. Martinez openly questioned how the suspect ended up living at the judge’s home, stating, “I don’t think he would just let anybody live in his property.” Despite the implications, Martinez ruled Ortega-Lopez was not a flight risk or public danger and granted him pretrial release.
However, on April 8, federal prosecutors filed a motion asking the court to reconsider that decision.
According to county property records, the home where Ortega-Lopez was arrested is jointly owned by Joel and Nancy Cano. Just days after the arrest, Joel Cano submitted his resignation — officially stepping down on March 21.
In a brief note, Cano wished his colleagues well and made no mention of the controversy: “All the best to every one of you. I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
The fallout isn’t over. The New Mexico Supreme Court has scheduled an oral argument on April 24 regarding Judge Cano, and the hearing will be livestreamed for the public.
In the meantime, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to appoint a replacement to fill Cano’s seat, which was set to run through the end of 2026.
This stunning case has raised serious questions about judicial oversight and potential conflicts of interest — especially when federal gang suspects are living under the same roof as sitting judges.