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CNN
26-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Former New Mexico judge and wife arrested on charges of tampering with evidence linked to suspected Tren de Aragua member
A former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and his wife are accused of tampering with evidence linked to the arrest of an undocumented migrant suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to two criminal complaints filed Friday. Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose Luis Cano, also known as Joel Cano, is facing a federal charge of tampering with evidence, and his wife, Nancy Cano, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence, court records show. CNN has reached out to their attorney for comment. The migrant, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, is a Venezuelan who was charged earlier this year for unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition, court documents show. Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into Ortega-Lopez in January after receiving an anonymous tip accusing him of living with other undocumented migrants at a home owned by Nancy and Jose Cano in Las Cruces and carrying firearms, the complaints state. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi told Fox News Friday authorities got a tip the migrant had been living with the judge. 'This is the last person we want in our country, nor will we ever tolerate a judge or anyone else harboring them,' she said. Ortega-Lopez had posted photos and videos on Facebook showing him at what appears to be a shooting range in Las Cruces and observed to be holding handguns or assault-style rifles, according to the complaint against him. Investigators said they identified tattoos, clothing and hand gestures 'commonly associated' with Tren de Aragua in photos and videos posted online by Ortega-Lopez, saying this 'provide(s) strong evidence of Cristhian Ortega's potential connection' to the gang, according to the criminal complaint. Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang that originated in a Venezuelan prison and now operates in the United States. The gang has been linked to human trafficking and other crimes targeting migrants, as well as money laundering, drug smuggling, kidnapping and extortion, according to the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The former judge staunchly denied any wrongdoing and maintained he had no prior knowledge of Ortega-Lopez's alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, or of the two other men who associated with him, and defended his decision to allow the men to stay on his property, CNN affiliate KOAT reported, citing a 23-page letter previously submitted to the New Mexico Supreme Court. 'Let me be as crystal clear as possible,' Jose Luis Cano wrote, KOAT reported. 'The very first time I ever heard that (the men) could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by (the) agents on the day of the raid.' Two search warrants were executed on February 28, with one location being the Canos' home, and Ortega-Lopez was ultimately arrested and charged, the complaints state. Investigators found three cell phones belonging to Ortega-Lopez at the Canos' home, while four firearms were found at a separate residence that was also searched, according to the complaints. A phone call Ortega-Lopez made at the time of his arrest made investigators believe he might have another cell phone, the documents show. On April 22, investigators requested any 'recorded jail calls, messages, videos, and deposits pertaining to Ortega.' They discovered two video messages between Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez, which showed a fourth phone and the two discussing how to potentially delete Ortega-Lopez's Facebook accounts, the complaint against Nancy Cano states. This prompted investigators to execute a warrant at the Cano property Thursday looking for another phone owned by Ortega-Lopez, as well as a phone owned by Nancy Cano, according to the complaint. Rafael Romo reports on Venezuela's notorious gang that's victimized thousands of people across Latin America, and now operating in the U.S. During the search, Jose Luis Cano agreed to speak with investigators and told them he destroyed Ortega-Lopez's phone 'by smashing it with a hammer and discard(ing) the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster approximately five weeks ago,' adding he thought the phone 'contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively' on Ortega-Lopez, the complaint against him stated. When questioned further, Jose Luis Cano said he destroyed the phone because he believed it contained photos of Ortega-Lopez holding firearms, the complaint stated. CNN has reached out to ICE and the US Attorney General's Office for more information on the case. The arrests of Jose Luis and Nancy Cano come after the former judge resigned from his role in March, according to court documents. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered Joel Cano never to hold or run for a New Mexico judicial office in the future, the documents stated. CNN's Hanna Park, Ray Sanchez and Rafael Romo contributed to this report.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former New Mexico judge and wife arrested on charges of tampering with evidence linked to suspected Tren de Aragua member
A former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and his wife are accused of tampering with evidence linked to the arrest of an undocumented migrant suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to two criminal complaints filed Friday. Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose Luis Cano, also known as Joel Cano, is facing a federal charge of tampering with evidence, and his wife, Nancy Cano, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence, court records show. CNN has reached out to their attorney for comment. The migrant, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, is a Venezuelan who was charged earlier this year for unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition, court documents show. Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into Ortega-Lopez in January after receiving an anonymous tip accusing him of living with other undocumented migrants at a home owned by Nancy and Jose Cano in Las Cruces and carrying firearms, the complaints state. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi told Fox News Friday authorities got a tip the migrant had been living with the judge. 'This is the last person we want in our country, nor will we ever tolerate a judge or anyone else harboring them,' she said. Ortega-Lopez had posted photos and videos on Facebook showing him at what appears to be a shooting range in Las Cruces and observed to be holding handguns or assault-style rifles, according to the complaint against him. Investigators said they identified tattoos, clothing and hand gestures 'commonly associated' with Tren de Aragua in photos and videos posted online by Ortega-Lopez, saying this 'provide(s) strong evidence of Cristhian Ortega's potential connection' to the gang, according to the criminal complaint. Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang that originated in a Venezuelan prison and now operates in the United States. The gang has been linked to human trafficking and other crimes targeting migrants, as well as money laundering, drug smuggling, kidnapping and extortion, according to the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The former judge staunchly denied any wrongdoing and maintained he had no prior knowledge of Ortega-Lopez's alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, or of the two other men who associated with him, and defended his decision to allow the men to stay on his property, CNN affiliate KOAT reported, citing a 23-page letter previously submitted to the New Mexico Supreme Court. 'Let me be as crystal clear as possible,' Jose Luis Cano wrote, KOAT reported. 'The very first time I ever heard that (the men) could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by (the) agents on the day of the raid.' Two search warrants were executed on February 28, with one location being the Canos' home, and Ortega-Lopez was ultimately arrested and charged, the complaints state. Investigators found three cell phones belonging to Ortega-Lopez at the Canos' home, while four firearms were found at a separate residence that was also searched, according to the complaints. A phone call Ortega-Lopez made at the time of his arrest made investigators believe he might have another cell phone, the documents show. On April 22, investigators requested any 'recorded jail calls, messages, videos, and deposits pertaining to Ortega.' They discovered two video messages between Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez, which showed a fourth phone and the two discussing how to potentially delete Ortega-Lopez's Facebook accounts, the complaint against Nancy Cano states. This prompted investigators to execute a warrant at the Cano property Thursday looking for another phone owned by Ortega-Lopez, as well as a phone owned by Nancy Cano, according to the complaint. During the search, Jose Luis Cano agreed to speak with investigators and told them he destroyed Ortega-Lopez's phone 'by smashing it with a hammer and discard(ing) the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster approximately five weeks ago,' adding he thought the phone 'contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively' on Ortega-Lopez, the complaint against him stated. When questioned further, Jose Luis Cano said he destroyed the phone because he believed it contained photos of Ortega-Lopez holding firearms, the complaint stated. CNN has reached out to ICE and the US Attorney General's Office for more information on the case. The arrests of Jose Luis and Nancy Cano come after the former judge resigned from his role in March, according to court documents. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered Joel Cano never to hold or run for a New Mexico judicial office in the future, the documents stated. CNN's Hanna Park, Ray Sanchez and Rafael Romo contributed to this report.
CNN
26-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Former New Mexico judge and wife arrested on charges of tampering with evidence linked to suspected Tren de Aragua member
A former magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and his wife are accused of tampering with evidence linked to the arrest of an undocumented migrant suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to two criminal complaints filed Friday. Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose Luis Cano, also known as Joel Cano, is facing a federal charge of tampering with evidence, and his wife, Nancy Cano, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence, court records show. CNN has reached out to their attorney for comment. The migrant, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, is a Venezuelan who was charged earlier this year for unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition, court documents show. Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into Ortega-Lopez in January after receiving an anonymous tip accusing him of living with other undocumented migrants at a home owned by Nancy and Jose Cano in Las Cruces and carrying firearms, the complaints state. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi told Fox News Friday authorities got a tip the migrant had been living with the judge. 'This is the last person we want in our country, nor will we ever tolerate a judge or anyone else harboring them,' she said. Ortega-Lopez had posted photos and videos on Facebook showing him at what appears to be a shooting range in Las Cruces and observed to be holding handguns or assault-style rifles, according to the complaint against him. Investigators said they identified tattoos, clothing and hand gestures 'commonly associated' with Tren de Aragua in photos and videos posted online by Ortega-Lopez, saying this 'provide(s) strong evidence of Cristhian Ortega's potential connection' to the gang, according to the criminal complaint. Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang that originated in a Venezuelan prison and now operates in the United States. The gang has been linked to human trafficking and other crimes targeting migrants, as well as money laundering, drug smuggling, kidnapping and extortion, according to the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The former judge staunchly denied any wrongdoing and maintained he had no prior knowledge of Ortega-Lopez's alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, or of the two other men who associated with him, and defended his decision to allow the men to stay on his property, CNN affiliate KOAT reported, citing a 23-page letter previously submitted to the New Mexico Supreme Court. 'Let me be as crystal clear as possible,' Jose Luis Cano wrote, KOAT reported. 'The very first time I ever heard that (the men) could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by (the) agents on the day of the raid.' Two search warrants were executed on February 28, with one location being the Canos' home, and Ortega-Lopez was ultimately arrested and charged, the complaints state. Investigators found three cell phones belonging to Ortega-Lopez at the Canos' home, while four firearms were found at a separate residence that was also searched, according to the complaints. A phone call Ortega-Lopez made at the time of his arrest made investigators believe he might have another cell phone, the documents show. On April 22, investigators requested any 'recorded jail calls, messages, videos, and deposits pertaining to Ortega.' They discovered two video messages between Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez, which showed a fourth phone and the two discussing how to potentially delete Ortega-Lopez's Facebook accounts, the complaint against Nancy Cano states. This prompted investigators to execute a warrant at the Cano property Thursday looking for another phone owned by Ortega-Lopez, as well as a phone owned by Nancy Cano, according to the complaint. Rafael Romo reports on Venezuela's notorious gang that's victimized thousands of people across Latin America, and now operating in the U.S. During the search, Jose Luis Cano agreed to speak with investigators and told them he destroyed Ortega-Lopez's phone 'by smashing it with a hammer and discard(ing) the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster approximately five weeks ago,' adding he thought the phone 'contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively' on Ortega-Lopez, the complaint against him stated. When questioned further, Jose Luis Cano said he destroyed the phone because he believed it contained photos of Ortega-Lopez holding firearms, the complaint stated. CNN has reached out to ICE and the US Attorney General's Office for more information on the case. The arrests of Jose Luis and Nancy Cano come after the former judge resigned from his role in March, according to court documents. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered Joel Cano never to hold or run for a New Mexico judicial office in the future, the documents stated. CNN's Hanna Park, Ray Sanchez and Rafael Romo contributed to this report.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Early Autopsy Results Offer Key Clues Into Gene Hackman Death Mystery
Preliminary autopsy results were released by authorities in Santa Fe Thursday as part of an investigation into the 'unusual' deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico said an autopsy was performed on the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 64, early Thursday morning. According to an affidavit obtained by People, Arakawa 'showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.' Hackman showed similar signs of decomposition, the report added. Though Hackman's daughter, Elizabeth Jean, earlier told TMZ that the family suspected that carbon monoxide poisoning was to blame, authorities did not point to immediate signs of such poisoning or external trauma. 'Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual,' Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a statement, adding that carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals. Mendoza added: 'There were no apparent signs of foul play.' However, he stressed, 'The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.' Meanwhile, CNN affiliate KOAT reports foul play has not been ruled out, adding final autopsy results and toxicology reports will hold the answer. Citing the search warrant, KOAT reports deputies believe, based on evidence and experience, the couple suddenly fell. 'The autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology,' Mendoza said during a Thursday news conference. Results 'generally take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to generate,' Chris Ramirez, spokesperson for the New Mexico medical investigator's office, told CNN. Santa Fe, NM (February 27, 2025): On Wednesday February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff's... Posted by Santa Fe County Sheriff on Thursday, February 27, 2025 Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company were earlier requested to test the scene for carbon monoxide and other foreign elements, the statement said. The scene was deemed safe, according to cops, and 'at approximately 9:30 p.m. a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence.' According to an affidavit from a Santa Fe detective obtained by People, the Santa Fe City Fire Department did not see signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. 'New Mexico Gas Company responded to the residence and was conducting active testing on the gas line in and around the residence,' the affidavit reportedly said. 'As of now there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.' The couple and one of their dogs were found dead in their New Mexico mansion on Wednesday after a neighbor requested a welfare check. An emergency 911 call by a local caretaker captured the horrifying call to authorities when the bodies were found. 'They're not moving—just send somebody out here really quick!' the subdivision caretaker said in the 911 call. Police earlier said that the deaths were 'suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,' noting that the front door was left ajar, the couple's bodies were found in separate rooms, and an open pill bottle was discovered with pills strewn all over the floor. 'Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,' Leslie Anne Hackman, another of the actor's daughters, told The Daily Mail on Thursday. 'We were close. I hadn't talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good,' she said.
CNN
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Friends of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa say couple were ‘alive and well' in recent meeting
As authorities investigate the causes of deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, close and longtime friends of the couple say they seemed to be in good health at their most recent encounter. 'Last time we saw them, they were alive and well,' Daniel Lenihan told CNN's Erin Burnett Friday night. Barbara, Lenihan's wife, said that she had last seen Arakawa a few weeks ago at a home décor shop the two had opened together in Santa Fe and frequently spoke. 'They were so delightful to be around,' Barbara said, adding how proud Hackman and Arakawa were of each other. 'Probably never seen a couple that got along and enjoyed each other so much.' Because of health concerns following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lenihans had seen less of the couple recently, Barbara said. Arakawa took extra precautions such as masking to ensure that her husband wouldn't get sick, they said. Like many others, the Lenihans are waiting for answers about what led to their friends' deaths, after Hackman, Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead in their secluded Santa Fe home this week. Hackman and Arakawa's bodies were discovered by maintenance workers at their home Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff's office affidavit for a search warrant obtained by CNN affiliate KOAT states. The couple's bodies were found in separate rooms –– Hackman was found on the ground near the kitchen, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom, with scattered pills next to her, according to the sheriff's office. A German shepherd dog, who was kept in a crate, was also found dead in the bathroom, the affidavit said. Two other dogs were found on the property alive and in good condition. While investigators have not yet determined whether Hackman and Arakawa died at the same time, data from Hackman's pacemaker shows he was likely dead for nine days before. The pacemaker shows Hackman's 'last event' was recorded on February 17, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a Friday news conference. 'According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life,' the sheriff said. Arakawa's body meanwhile 'showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification (sic) in both hands and feet,' the affidavit states. Mummification usually starts over two weeks after a person dies, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya said. Daniel Lenihan, who co-authored several novels with Hackman, noted the few details released so far are not 'at all filled in yet,' yet what they've heard so far 'just doesn't fit' with what they knew of their friends. 'We don't understand what happened with that,' he said. While there are no immediate signs of foul play, officials say that the circumstances surrounding the two deaths are 'suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,' according to the affidavit. 'I think I'm pretty confident that there is no foul play just based on the lack of evidence of foul play,' Mendoza told NBC on Friday. 'Of course, we're not ruling that out.' Investigators say they are working to piece a timeline together by analyzing a monthly planner found at the home as well as cell phone data – including phone calls, text messages, events and photos. 'We're doing a reverse timeline,' Mendoza said Friday. 'We're doing a timeline from the time of death and the autopsy and the results, and we're going to start working our way backwards.' Several items have been taken from the home for analysis, including two green cellular devices and three medicines: a thyroid medication, Tylenol, and Diltiazem, often used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain, a document released Friday by Santa Fe County court shows. Fire officials were unable to find signs of a 'carbon monoxide leak or poisoning,' the affidavit read. Gas lines were tested in and around the home, with no immediate problems detected. Official autopsy reports are pending, and toxicology tests have been requested for Hackman and Arakawa, according to the sheriff's office –– but results could take months. Hackman received five Academy Award acting nominations during his career, winning twice – in the 1971 film 'The French Connection,' and the 1992 film, 'Unforgiven.' His death comes just days before the Academy Awards this weekend. A source familiar with behind-the-scenes planning at the Oscars told CNN that Hackman is expected to be honored at the ceremony, though details are not locked in. Beyond Hollywood, Hackman and Arakawa were celebrated members of their Santa Fe community. 'Gene was not only a legendary actor that shaped generations of storytelling, but him and Betsy were also longtime members of our community, deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Fe,' Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia said at Friday's news conference. 'Gene and Betsy were our neighbors who embraced Santa Fe lifestyle and embraced Santa Fe as their home. Their kindness, generosity and love for this city, made them not just icons but they were part of our family,' she said.
