In April 2025, New Mexico judge Jose “Joel” Cano, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested at their Los Cruces home for harboring a gang member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The judge also allowed the international gang member access to firearms. Judge Cano resigned shortly before his arrest.
On April 25, 2025, formal charges were brought against former Judge Cano in federal court for the District of New Mexico. The charges are violation of federal statute, 18 USC 1512(c)(1), tampering with evidence.
According to the criminal complaint, Cano admitted to law enforcement to destroying a cellphone with incriminating evidence of Cano’s gang member friend, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, also a member of Tren de Aragua. According to the same criminal complaint, Cano and his wife, allowed the gang member to reside at their address. Similar charges were brought against Jose Cano’s wife, Nancy, for violation of 18 USC 1512(k), conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Copies of the criminal complaint against Judge Cano is below.
Here is the federal criminal complaint against the former New Mexico judge:
