Democrat Judge Jose "Joel" Cano resigned from his bench last month after an illegal immigrant with alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang was arrested in his New Mexico home, where the migrant was living.
Federal prosecutors arrested 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on February 28 during a search of Cano's home that occurred after a detention hearing where evidence was presented that he was a member of Tren de Aragua.
Ortega-Lopez entered the country at Eagle Pass, Texas in December 2023 and was released on a parole program due to overcrowding.
He lived in El Paso, Texas for a while after his release and eventually met the judge's wife Nancy Cano while doing handyman jobs. She offered him a place to live on her property.
Prosecutors showed images of Ortega-Lopez with other migrants at a shooting range with multiple weapons including AR-15s.
He also has tattoos consistent with Tren de Aragua membership. Images of dead and mutilated bodies were found on his phone.
Police found additional weapons at the home of Nancy Cano's daughter, and images showed Ortega-Lopez with several of the firearms.
Ortega-Lopez is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. He is being held in the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Jose Cano had been a local magistrate judge in Dona Ana County since 2011.
It was not clear whether the judge or his wife would be charged with harboring an illegal immigrant.
Cano apparently allowed Ortega-Lopez to file for immigration relief using his address.
Social media posts show the two posing together in photos.
With their lives having intertwined in this way, it is unclear whether Cano or his wife knew that Ortega-Lopez had alleged gang ties or participated in gang activities.
President Donald Trump designated Tren de Aragua and other foreign gangs as terrorist organizations, which make the consequences of the Canos' actions more serious.
