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Jose & Nancy Cano, Obstruction, New Mexico 2025
LAS CRUCES, NM – A former Dona Ana County judge and his wife are facing federal charges after allegedly interfering with a federal investigation into a Venezuelan national with ties to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. The couple, Jose Luis Cano, 67, and Nancy Ann Cano, 68, were arrested yesterday, accused of tampering with evidence to protect Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant allegedly flaunting firearms and gang affiliation on social media.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words, stating, “The allegations against Judge Dugan and Judge Cano are serious: no one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations. Doing so imperils the safety of our law enforcement officers and undermines the rule of law.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the sentiment, slamming “sanctuary jurisdictions that shield criminal aliens” and promising a crackdown on officials prioritizing “politics over public safety.”
The case began with an anonymous tip to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding Ortega-Lopez’s illegal entry into the U.S. on December 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas. Released due to overcrowding, Ortega-Lopez quickly resurfaced in Las Cruces, New Mexico, posting brazen images and videos online. These posts depicted him and others handling an AR-15 rifle equipped with a suppressor, a Sig Sauer P365 handgun, and other high-powered weapons at a local shooting range. Investigators confirmed his identity through distinctive tattoos visible in the images.
The evidence quickly spiraled into something far more sinister. Social media also revealed content linking Ortega-Lopez to Tren de Aragua, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Gang-related tattoos, hand gestures, and clothing cemented the connection. HSI discovered that Ortega-Lopez was unlawfully residing at a property in Las Cruces owned by Nancy and Jose Cano in January 2025, raising immediate red flags. The couple is now accused of actively working to conceal evidence related to the case, obstructing the federal investigation.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico was blunt: “Judges are responsible for upholding our country’s laws. It is beyond egregious for a former judge and his wife to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member accused of illegally possessing firearms.” Ellison emphasized the office’s commitment to dismantling the FTO’s operations in New Mexico, starting with the prosecution of those aiding its members – including, apparently, those sworn to uphold the law.
The charges against Jose Luis Cano and Nancy Ann Cano are serious, and the investigation is ongoing. The Department of Justice is signaling a zero-tolerance policy for obstruction of justice, particularly when it involves individuals linked to dangerous transnational criminal organizations. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly send a message about accountability, even – and especially – when it reaches the highest echelons of the legal system.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Press Release
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