Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano recently stepped down from his judicial role amid controversies surrounding the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged gang member found at his home.
The arrest of Ortega-Lopez led to inquiries about Judge Cano’s possible link to the suspect, prompting his resignation from the judiciary, Fox News reported.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a native of Venezuela, has been the subject of investigation by Homeland Security's Las Cruces office since January. His involvement with the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious criminal organization, raised red flags for authorities. Homeland Security discovered Ortega-Lopez living in the United States without legal status and possessing firearms, exacerbating the seriousness of his case.
On February 28, law enforcement executed two search warrants at an address found to belong to Judge Cano's wife, Nancy. The search led to the detention of Ortega-Lopez and his roommates. During the operation, authorities confiscated four firearms from a home owned by Cano’s daughter, April.
Ortega-Lopez's presence was documented on social media, showcasing him with several of these firearms. Some of these weapons were identified as belonging to April Cano, strengthening suspicions about the connections within the family. It was revealed that Ortega-Lopez illegally entered the United States in December 2023 through Mexico. His relationship with Nancy Cano stemmed from a professional association, where they met at work.
Facing eviction from his residence in El Paso in April 2024, Ortega-Lopez accepted Nancy's offer to stay in a small house on the property shared with her husband, which later became a focal point in the ongoing investigation.
As legal proceedings unfolded in early March, Ortega-Lopez made his first court appearance in Las Cruces on March 3. During his detention hearing on March 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez expressed concerns regarding Judge Cano's possible involvement. Martinez commented on the likelihood of someone living in Cano’s residence without his knowledge.
Despite these concerns, the judge determined that Ortega-Lopez did not present a flight risk and granted his release. However, a motion for reconsideration of his release was filed on April 8, indicating further legal challenges ahead.
Judge Joel Cano submitted his resignation letter, dated March 3, which the judiciary received on March 31. His resignation marked March 21 as his final day of work. In his letter, Cano expressed well wishes to his colleagues.
As Judge Cano's term was cut short, state authorities now face the task of appointing his successor. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is responsible for finding a replacement who will serve the remainder of Cano's term, which concludes in 2026.
An oral argument regarding Judge Cano's situation is scheduled for April 24. This event will be available to the public through a live-stream broadcast, as shared by Barry Massey, a spokesman for the Administrative Office of the Courts.
The arrest of an alleged gang member at a judge's home has drawn significant attention, and the questions surrounding Cano's possible link to Ortega-Lopez linger. The intersection of law enforcement and judicial involvement has prompted the need for careful investigation.
The circumstances leading to Judge Cano’s resignation highlight potential vulnerabilities in establishing clear boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal associations.
This situation continues to unfold, as the public remains attentive to the implications that such a connection may hold. The judicial community is actively working to ensure transparency and integrity throughout the process.
Joel Cano’s resignation underscores the importance of maintaining the public's trust in the judicial system, while the involvement of the governor and state officials demonstrates the significance placed on resolving this matter appropriately. The ongoing legal proceedings will likely provide further clarity as the case progresses.
