New Mexico Supreme Court Bars Judge Linked to Gang Member

Joel Cano, a former magistrate judge in New Mexico, has been permanently banned from holding judicial office after federal and state investigations revealed that a suspected member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, was arrested living on his property. Ortega-Lopez, who entered the U.S. illegally and was found with firearms, was reportedly living in a casita on Cano's property along with other undocumented migrants, performing handyman work for Cano and his wife after being evicted. Court documents show Cano and his family, including his daughter April, interacted with Ortega-Lopez, with April allegedly allowing him to handle and sometimes shoot firearms. Social media posts surfaced showing Ortega-Lopez with firearms, and Cano was present in some pictures. While Cano claims he was unaware of the gang affiliations until informed by agents during the raid, he resigned in March, halting disciplinary proceedings, and is now barred for life from any judicial role in the state. Federal charges have also been brought against other former judicial officials for allegedly obstructing the investigation and tampering with evidence related to Ortega-Lopez.