Former New Mexico Judge and His Wife Arrested for Alleged Evidence Tampering

 

Former New Mexico Judge and His Wife Arrested for Alleged Evidence Tampering

Nancy Cano (L) and Joe Cano following their arrest on April 24, 2025. Dona Ana County Detention

Former New Mexico Judge and Wife Arrested for Alleged Evidence Tampering Linked to Gang Member

Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested Thursday following a law enforcement raid on their Las Cruces home. Court documents and reports allege that a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had been living in a structure behind their residence.

Booking records from the Doña Ana County Detention Center confirm that the couple faces charges of evidence tampering.

Footage shared by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on social media shows both Canos being taken into custody—Joel Cano seen in handcuffs speaking with FBI agents, while Nancy Cano is escorted by Homeland Security personnel.

Noem captioned the video with a warning: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up.”

According to the Department of Justice, the gang member in question, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 and was later arrested in February. He is accused of possessing a firearm as an undocumented immigrant and is suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration designated a terrorist organization.

Federal court filings reveal Ortega-Lopez was residing on the Cano property at the time of his arrest. The filings also indicate that Nancy Cano had initially hired Ortega-Lopez for a home repair job, later offering him accommodation after he was evicted in April 2024.

A federal magistrate confirmed Ortega-Lopez’s arrest occurred at the former judge’s property. Court exhibits included a social media photo of Ortega-Lopez with Joel Cano, raising further questions about their relationship.

Coinciding with his arrest, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently banning Joel Cano from ever holding judicial office in the state. The ruling also prohibits him from acting in any judicial capacity, including officiating weddings.

Cano, who had served as magistrate judge since 2011, submitted his resignation last month. His resignation letter, dated March 21, did not provide a reason for stepping down.

Requests for comment sent to the FBI, ICE, and email addresses associated with Cano went unanswered.

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