Ex-New Mexico judge, wife who allegedly harbored illegal Tren de Aragua member released on bond
A former New Mexico judge and his wife, who are accused of harboring a Venezuelan gang member in their home, have been released from jail on bond.
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested last month on charges of tampering with evidence after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home.
Court records show they were released on $10,000 bond each on Tuesday under certain conditions.
In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials received a tip that Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a designated foreign terrorist organization, "was residing with other illegal aliens in the United States unlawfully at an address located in Las Cruces, New Mexico…and was in possession of firearms," a federal complaint states.
Ex-new Mexico Judge, Wife Tried To Hide Evidence Of Illegal Alien Gangbanger, Doj Prosecutors Say
"Nancy and Jose Cano are the owners of the Premises," the complaint said.
Read On The Fox News App
Court documents further revealed that Ortega, who entered the United States from Mexico illegally in 2023 by climbing over a barbed wire fence, was initially hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later offered accommodation in the couple's guesthouse.
Ex-new Mexico Judge, Wife Arrested For Allegedly Harboring Illegal Tren De Aragua Member
Ortega is charged with being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition.
Federal authorities searched the Canos' home on April 24 to locate Ortega-Lopez's missing phone. During questioning, Joel Cano apparently admitted to authorities that he destroyed Ortega's cellphone "with a hammer and discarded the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster" earlier this year.
Fbi Arrests Wisconsin Judge, Alleging She Obstructed Arrest Of Illegal Alien
"Specifically, Jose Cano stated that he destroyed the cellphone and further admitted that he believed the cellphone contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively on Ortega," a federal complaint states. "Through further questioning, agents ascertained that Jose Cano destroyed the cellphone, believing that it contained photographs of Ortega holding firearms that Ortega had uploaded onto social media platforms which would be additional incriminating evidence against him."
Federal officials seized other cellphones from Oretga that apparently contained messages showing his "Tren de Aragua affiliation and photos of Ortega in possession of firearms and ammunition." In social media videos, Ortega can allegedly be seen shooting "an AR-15 style rifle with a suppressor" at metal targets.
New Mexico Judge Resigns After Alleged Tda Member Arrested At His Home
Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March, and last month, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently barring him from holding any judicial office in the state.
Joel and Nancy Cano face up to 15 years in prison. Fox News Digital reached out to their attorney for comment.
"The rule of law is very simple: It doesn't matter what line of work you're in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts, and we will prosecute you," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a video message last week.
Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.Original article source: Ex-New Mexico judge, wife who allegedly harbored illegal Tren de Aragua member released on bond
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
Scoop: Gabbard tightens grip on intel assessments after Venezuela clash
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has imposed a more intensive review process for inter-agency reports, slowing their publication and deepening internal fears about political influence on intelligence, two U.S. officials tell Axios. The intrigue: The new layers of approval were introduced after Gabbard's acting chief of staff pushed for changes to a politically inconvenient report on Venezuela from experts across multiple intelligence agencies — an internal dispute that spilled into public view. Driving the news: That report from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) cast doubt on links the White House had drawn between the Tren de Aragua cartel and the Venezuelan government to justify deporting suspected gang members to El Salvador. Gabbard fired the acting heads of the NIC who approved that report last month. Her office said it was part of her efforts to "end the weaponization and politicization of the Intelligence Community." Veterans of U.S. intelligence warned the episode would send a "chill" through the community. "Nobody wants to give the boss what he or she needs to hear if the messenger is going to get shot," a former senior intel official told Axios. After the Venezuela controversy, Gabbard announced that she'd referred"deep-state criminals" to the Department of Justice over suspected leaks. Behind the scenes: She also quietly added a new layer of approval for NIC reports. An intelligence official said everything now needs sign-off from Deputy DNI for Mission Integration William Ruger or from Gabbard herself. An intelligence official told Axios the result was a slower flow of intelligence to policymakers. "The mere fact that they're going through all these steps has brought it to a trickle." "The process has definitely become more cumbersome," another U.S. official said, concurring that the NIC was publishing less in recent weeks than it had previously. In response to questions from Axios, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said it was normal for the DNI or Deputy DNI to review reports prior to publication. The official did confirm changes had been made. "Considering the heads of the NIC were terminated for their inability to remove political priorities from the workplace, there is an even more comprehensive review of the products coming out of the NIC to ensure the office is producing apolitical intelligence." "This is good for the trust of the American people in the intelligence community and for the safety and security of our nation," the official contended. The other side: A former member of the NIC, which is typically staffed by career intelligence officials on rotation from other agencies, told Axios he'd never heard of that level of intervention by DNI leadership into the publishing process. "The NIC is a production mill for the DNI, so to require everything to be going through Mission Integration, or wherever else, would have constipated the system," he said. Between the lines: The changes reflect the mutual distrust between the intelligence community and its new leadership. Intelligence officials worry Gabbard's team may shape intelligence to match their political preferences. But Gabbard's team claims "deep state" officials are shaping the intelligence to match their political preferences, hence the review process. How it works: The NIC is responsible for providing assessments that take in the views of all U.S. intelligence agencies, often in response to requests from the White House. Typically a relevant subject matter expert at CIA or another agency will draft a paper which is then circulated among the relevant analysts at a dozen or so additional agencies for their input. The final product is published by the NIC in a classified format, and provided to the relevant policymakers. These can range from a one-pager turned around quickly on a hot-button issue — some aspect of the war in Ukraine, for example — or a months-long deep dive into an adversary's nuclear capabilities or terror threats to the homeland. In the case of the Venezuela report, the assessment was that the Tren de Aragua cartel was not being controlled by the Venezuelan government — contradicting a claim President Trump made while invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Joe Kent, Gabbard's chief of staff, wrote intel officials in April that "some rewriting" and more analytic work was needed "so this document is not used against the DNI or POTUS," the New York Times reported. Intelligence community members Axios spoke to for this story raised concerns that after the Venezuela episode, analysts could start to self-censor or simply keep their heads down to avoid political backlash. What they're saying: "Ensuring only the most timely, apolitical, and accurate intelligence reaches the desks of our decision makers is DNI Gabbard's top priority," Gabbard's spokesperson Olivia Coleman told Axios.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Police: 3 men charged after drug, gun trafficking investigation in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Police arrested three men after an investigation into drug and gun trafficking violations in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Police Department announced the arrests of Jaquael Robinson, 20, Deonta White, 25, and Keyon Kyser, 23. Police said Robinson was identified as a member of the 'Shiesty Gang Kartel' after the investigation was launched in May. Investigators searched two homes on Jefferson Highway and Gwen Drive on June 9. Police noted that the Gwen Drive home was previously searched in April. Guns and drugs seized: Black 9mm Freedom Ordinance FX-9 pistol PR Binary Trigger 9.7 grams of marijuana Black .40 caliber Glock 27 handgun Black multi-caliber Radical Firearms RF-15 Black 9mm Glock 19 10 30mg Adderall pills 20.8 grams of fentanyl Five THC Vape Cartridges A pink, black, and silver 38 caliber Pink Lady revolver Two digital scales Bottle of Mannitol Four handgun magazines 125 capsule pills containing methamphetamine 17 packets of THC gummies 29.2 grams of marijuana Black 9mm Canik TP-9 handgun Five foil blister packs containing 47 Tapentadol pills 46.5 grams of fentanyl .22 caliber with unidentifiable make and model Robinson was arrested on charges of: Two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance Illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a person under 17 years of age Possession of drug paraphernalia Police noted that Robinson was previously arrested on gun and drug charges. White was arrested on charges of: Two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Three counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Prohibition on the possession of firearms by a person against whom a protective order is issued Possession of drug paraphernalia Police said White has been arrested previously on drug, gun, and theft charges. Kyser was arrested on charges of: Two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Three counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Possession of drug paraphernalia According to BRPD, Kyser has been arrested previously on charges of home invasion, domestic abuse, child endangerment, battery, and obstruction of justice. Police arrest man accused of woman's shooting death in Baton Rouge Military members boo Newsom, Biden and the press during Trump speech Coast Guard suspends search for 6 after plane crashes into ocean off San Diego Two-thirds support policies prioritizing birth sex over gender identity: Gallup Louisiana man faces charges of stalking, video voyeurism House Republicans tee up tweaks to Trump megabill Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
US extradites ISIS supporter who planned Oct. 7 mass shooting at New York Jewish center: DOJ
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice on Tuesday extradited an ISIS supporter living in Canada who had been caught planning a mass shooting attack on a Jewish center in New York that would have coincided with the first anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, tried to travel from Canada to New York City on Sept. 4 in preparation to carry out the horrific attack on New York Jews – but was caught just short of the US border, according to the Department of Justice. Khan, also known as 'Shahzeb Jadoon,' was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS. 5 Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, tried to travel from Canada to New York City on Sept. 4 in preparation to carry out the horrific attack on New York Jews. Quebec Superior Court A plane carrying Khan, originally of Pakistan, touched down in the US on Tuesday afternoon, one day ahead of his scheduled first appearance on the charges before a US court. 'He planned to use automatic weapons to kill as many members of our Jewish community as possible, all in support of ISIS,' US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement Tuesday. 'Khan's deadly, antisemitic plan was thwarted by the diligent work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors in this Office who are committed to rooting out antisemitism and stopping terror.' 'Thanks to their efforts, Khan will now face justice in New York.' US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Khan's case serves as a reminder that ISIS is still attempting to target Americans. 5 Bondi said Khan's case serves as a reminder that ISIS is still attempting to target Americans. US Court for the Southern District of New York 'The foreign terrorist organization ISIS remains a clear and present danger to the American people, and our Jewish citizens are especially targeted by evil groups like these,' Bondi said. 'The Department of Justice is proud to help secure this extradition, and we will prosecute this man to the fullest extent of the law.' Khan began sharing ISIS propaganda videos and expressing his support for the terror group in social media posts in 2023, according to the federal complaint. 5 Khan began spreading ISIS propaganda through social media in 2023. US Court for the Southern District of New York Khan was caught after he told undercover FBI agents that he and another ISIS supporter based in the US were plotting attacks on Jewish centers in America and were seeking assault rifles and other materials to make them happen, the Justice Department said. 'During subsequent conversations, Khan repeatedly instructed the [undercover agents] to obtain AR-style assault rifles, ammunition, and other materials to carry out the attacks, and identified locations … where the attacks would take place,' the DOJ wrote in a summary of the crime. 'Khan also told the [agents] that he had identified a human smuggler who would help him cross the border from Canada into the United States for the attack.' 5 Khan was caught after he told undercover FBI agents that he and another ISIS supporter based in the US were plotting attacks on Jewish centers in America. US Court for the Southern District of New York Khan also said in the messages that 'Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews' because 'Oct 7 they will surely have some protests and oct 11 is yom kippur,' according to the complaint. 'New york is perfect to target jews,' he wrote, because it has the 'largest Jewish population In america' and therefore, 'even if we dont attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.' 'We are going to nyc to slaughter them,' he said, sending along a photo of a targeted location, which has not been disclosed. 5 Khan also said in the messages that 'Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews.' US Court for the Southern District of New York Using three separate vehicles, Khan began driving to the US but was stopped around Ormstown, a town in the Canadian province of Quebec that is about 12 miles from the US border, federal authorities said. If convicted, Khan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case is being handled by the Manhattan federal prosecutor's office.
