Longtime Doña Ana County Justice of the Peace Choose Joel Cano — a Democrat and former police officer — abruptly resigned after federal brokers arrested an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a residence he owns.
The bombshell resignation letter, dated March 3, got here simply days after federal brokers with Homeland Safety Investigations raided a property tied to Cano and his spouse, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun prices, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
The Venezuelan nationwide, who’s within the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to a ruthless transnational gang, was allegedly in possession of a number of firearms — together with ones linked to disturbing photos and movies on social media.
In accordance with the press launch:
HSI initiated an inquiry into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, following an nameless tip. Ortega-Lopez, an unlawful alien from Venezuela suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with different unlawful aliens in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had been in possession of firearms.
The investigators decided Ortega-Lopez had entered the US illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was launched pending removing proceedings. Social media proof confirmed Ortega-Lopez in possession of a number of firearms at a capturing vary in Las Cruces.
Ortega-Lopez is charged by prison grievance with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Court docket filings present Ortega-Lopez had been dwelling in a “casita” behind Choose Cano’s residence in Las Cruces after allegedly assembly Nancy Cano whereas doing handyman work.
Ortega-Lopez, who had unlawfully entered the US by scaling a barbed-wire fence in Eagle Move, Texas, was launched on so-called “humanitarian parole” resulting from overcrowding — a tragic consequence of Biden’s wide-open border catastrophe.
As soon as in New Mexico, prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez turned acquainted with April Cano, the decide’s stepdaughter, who reportedly owned a cache of firearms and allowed the unlawful alien to shoot and pose with the weapons — photos that later surfaced on Fb.
Much more disturbing, Ortega-Lopez is pictured in a single picture smiling alongside Choose Cano — a surprising picture now submitted in federal court docket as a part of the federal government’s detention case.
A assessment of Ortega-Lopez’s social media reveals video footage that seems to indicate Choose Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing casually, together with a second the place Ortega-Lopez palms an extended rifle to each Choose Cano and his spouse, Nancy.
WATCH:
A assessment of Ortega-Lopez’s social media exhibits him capturing at an area vary and holding a number of firearms. The web page additionally exhibits pictures of what seems to be Choose Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, together with Ortega-Lopez passing an extended rifle to each Choose Cano and Nancy.
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Brokers recovered 4 firearms from the neighboring property owned by April Cano.
In accordance with prosecutors, Ortega-Lopez admitted to having fired them. He now faces prices of being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and ammunition — a federal offense that carries as much as 15 years in jail.
