OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
11:52 AM – Wednesday, April 23, 2025
State Supreme Court records have announced that a New Mexico Democrat judge, who purportedly housed a Tren de Aragua gang member, has been permanently barred from the bench.
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After Department of Homeland Security agents detained the suspected TdA gang member, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, at Cano’s residence in February, Jose “Joel” Cano quickly resigned from his position in March.
Ortega-Lopez is “an illegal alien from Venezuela and a suspected member of a criminal gang” who was “residing with other illegal aliens” and “in possession of firearms,” according to court documents.
Homeland Security Investigations Las Cruces first began investigating him back in January.
Former Judge Cano “can never hold a judicial office again, be a candidate for a judicial office, and cannot exercise any judicial authority in the state,” the directive states. Additionally, the ban also forbids him from officiating at weddings in the state.
“The court was scheduled to hear oral arguments on disciplinary cases this Thursday, but the argument has been vacated now that the cases have been resolved,” Fox News reported.
Cano served in the Las Cruces Doña Ana County Magistrate Court. Although the press was able to obtain his March 3rd resignation letter, the Administrative Office of the Courts spokesperson claimed that the Supreme Court and 3rd Judicial District Court did not receive it until March 31st.
The Supreme Court of New Mexico imposed the sanctions, postponing the Thursday disciplinary hearings.
Investigators had discovered images of 23-year-old Ortega-Lopez posing in Christmas photos with the judge in 2024 and having dinner with his family on social media.
According to Cano’s letter of resignation, he left his position on March 21st.
“All the best to everyone of you,” he wrote. “I wish all of you a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.”
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