A Democrat judge in New Mexico has resigned, fleeing his office, after a suspect, allegedly a member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, was found living at his home.
Update: New Mexico Judge Joel Cano quits after Homeland Security finds an Tren de Aragua gang member living with him!! — armed, tatted, using his address!!
Homeland Security also uncovered suspected cartel-linked items and weapons! pic.twitter.com/l9UnDGcZnh
— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) April 21, 2025
NEW: Democrat Judge from New Mexico Abruptly Resigns After Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Member Is Arrested for Firearm Possession at His Residence
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation in March.
In February, HSI Venezuelan national El Paso… pic.twitter.com/w0QG5WW5mm
— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) April 19, 2025
BREAKING: DEMOCRAT NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTS TREN DE ARAGUA DESIGNATED TERRORIST LIVING AT JUDGE’S HOME!
The Longtime Doña Ana County Judge Joel Cano, A Democrat Has Abruptly Resigned After Federal Agents Arrested Alleged Violent Venezuelan Tren De… pic.twitter.com/TGsPbOGims— John Basham (@JohnBasham) April 19, 2025
A report from Fox News explains, “Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano’s resignation letter is dated March 3, but a spokesman for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) told Fox News Digital it was not received by the Supreme Court and 3rd Judicial District Court until March 31.”
The report explained Homeland Security Investigations in Las Cruces started looking into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a native of Venezuela described an illegal alien “and a suspected member of a criminal gang.”
The allegations included that he was living with other gang members and “in possession of firearms.”
Then two search warrants were executed at a home that was identified as owned by Cano’s wife, Nancy Cano.
“Ortega-Lopez and his roommates were taken into custody, and agents ‘seized four firearms from April Cano’s residence.’ April Cano is the daughter of Nancy and Joel, court documents state,” according to the report.
Further, Ortega-Lopez had posed on social media with various weapons, the report said.
The suspect admitted he entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2023, and was living in an El Paso apartment with others when he met Nancy Cano “to install a glass door for her,” the report said.
When he later was evicted from the apartment, the report said, Nancy Cano offered a place for him to live in the back of the home she shared with husband Joel Cano, the report said.
Property records show the home is owned by Nancy and Jose Cano, “who goes by Joel.”
Officials said now the state Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing regarding Cano.