Latest news with #JoelCano
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
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 article source: Ex-New Mexico judge, wife who allegedly harbored illegal Tren de Aragua member released on bond
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Fox News
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. "Nancy and Jose Cano are the owners of the Premises," the complaint said. 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. 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. "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. 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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Las Cruces judge Cano, wife released on bond
Apr. 29—LAS CRUCES — A federal judge released a former magistrate judge and his wife on $10,000 secured bonds Tuesday but barred them from renting to non-citizens as their cases progress. Nancy Cano and Joel Cano, a former police officer and Doña Ana County magistrate judge, are charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence and tampering with evidence after federal agents accused them of interfering with a federal investigation. "It's certainly unusual," Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Ysabel Armijo said about the case during the hearing. The pair was arrested on April 25 as part of an investigation into three men accused of being involved with the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. Joel Cano, who had served as a magistrate judge since 2011, resigned from the bench in March after federal agents raided his home, as well the home of a family member living next door, on Feb. 28. The unit was occupied by three men, including Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, who now faces federal firearm charges. Ortega-Lopez was also accused of entering the United States by scaling a barbed-wire fence near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was detained then released by Border Patrol to limit overcrowding at a detention facility, according to court records. Federal prosecutors said Ortega-Lopez had social media posts and tattoos that linked him to the Tren de Aragua gang. He eventually came into contact with the Canos through handyman work and was invited to stay on their property. In a court filing pertaining to a state judicial inquiry, Joel Cano said that Nancy Cano also provided assistance to the three men in complying with procedures in their pending immigration cases. Jail records show that Ortega-Lopez remains in jail ahead of a detention hearing. Joel Cano has called the allegations "highly sensationalized and without merit" and said the men investigated by the federal government had become "a meaningful part of our extended family." According to a criminal complaint, Joel Cano told federal investigators that he smashed a phone federal agents had been seeking with a hammer, while investigators believe that Nancy Cano plotted with Ortega-Lopez to delete a Facebook account. Both were sought as evidence, according to court records. Armijo did not push for the Canos to be held in jail. Instead, she asked federal Judge Gregory Fouratt to impose conditions of release that barred the husband and wife from residing together. Armijo said she was worried about the two discussing the case together. "We don't know if there's another phone that could be destroyed," Armijo said. Fouratt called the proposal form over substance and said the Canos had a constitutional right to be with each other as a married couple. But Fouratt did inquire about the Canos' wealth, suggesting they were some of the wealthiest defendants he had ever judged, and the couple's rental properties in southern New Mexico. Nancy Cano told the court that the couple rented eight units in the state, nearly all occupied. Ultimately, Fouratt imposed a standard array of conditions of release, including no contact with other witnesses or defendants, no new charges and a requirement to stay in Doña Ana County. "There's no workable way," Fouratt said, referring to a condition that would prevent the couple from speaking to each other. "I'd be setting you up to fail." Fouratt also said they must turn over their passports to the court and get rid of any guns, something the couple said they already did. But Fouratt's final condition of release was unique to the couple. He told them they could not rent to non-citizens or people without permanent residence and that they must provide the court with information about their tenants to prove that they are all U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Fouratt did not explain why this condition was necessary. The Canos did not oppose this condition. Fouratt's ruling for a secured bond means the couple must pay the bond before leaving jail.
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Judges Behaving Badly
At least two judges have been accused of aiding and abetting illegal means the Left has found its new stupid hill to die on. I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. A former New Mexico Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested for allegedly providing housing to a Venezuelan illegal alien and suspected gang member on a property the couple owned. Cano faces one count of tampering with evidence and his wife was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Both face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The DOJ also arrested and charged Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan with 'obstructing and impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States' and 'concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.' Border Czar Tom Homan and AG Pam Bondi made it crystal clear, if you are caught aiding and abetting illegal immigration or thwarting the efforts of immigration officers, you WILL be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Well, apparently these two judges didn't get that memo or didn't care. Either way, they are not above the law! I'm Tomi Lahren and you watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Court documents reveal new details in the arrests of former New Mexico judge and his wife
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – KRQE News 13 has learned more about the arrest of a former New Mexico judge and his wife, who are now in federal custody. They are accused of assisting a suspected gang member living in their home and hiding evidence. Story continues below Community: NM Dancewear closes its doors for good, leaving hole in dance community Food: Los Ranchos restaurant named best spot for brunch in the state by Yelp Crime: ABQ woman frustrated, two vehicles stolen from hospital parking lot days apart Film: Do you recognize these 'El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie' filming locations? Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, now disbarred, and his wife, Nancy, were arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents on Thursday at their home in Las Cruces. This arrest follows the investigation of an alleged Venezuelan gang member who had been staying with them. Federal court documents indicate that Cristhian Ortega-Lopez was arrested in February by federal agents on suspicion of living in the country illegally and having ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Upon his arrest, the documents revealed that Nancy Cano maintained communication with Ortega-Lopez and attempted to help him delete his Facebook account, which contained evidence relevant to his criminal case. Additionally, the federal documents state that one of the phones used by Ortega-Lopez was still in the Cano home and may have contained further incriminating evidence. A search warrant was issued in March to locate the missing phone, but police reported that Joel Cano admitted to destroying the device and disposing of the pieces. As a result, Cano is facing charges of tampering with evidence, while his wife is charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
