Federal authorities have arrested a former judge from New Mexico and his spouse following allegations that they concealed a man believed to be affiliated with a dangerous Venezuelan gang.
Democrat former judge arrested
Jose “Joel” Cano, who until this week served as a magistrate judge in Dona Ana County, and his wife Nancy were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at their residence in Las Cruces.
The arrest occurred on Thursday, according to a report by KFOX14. The couple remains held at the Dona Ana County Jail on charges of tampering with evidence, as they await their appearance in federal court.
Their arrest forms part of a larger federal investigation being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.
The case centers around their alleged involvement with Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national suspected of being associated with Tren de Aragua. Ortega-Lopez was reportedly arrested in February while staying at the Canos’ property.
Cano submitted his resignation from the bench earlier in the week. Shortly after, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a permanent prohibition preventing him from holding any judicial role in the state.
The court order declared that Cano “shall never again hold, become a candidate for, run for, or stand for election to any New Mexico judicial office in the future.”
Cano denies knowing suspects Venezuelan gang link
Ortega-Lopez, who hails from Venezuela, reportedly crossed into the U.S. illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas.
After spending three days in the custody of Border Patrol, he was released due to overcrowding at a processing facility in South Laredo, as indicated by court filings cited by the Albuquerque Journal.
He later encountered Nancy Cano in El Paso, where he was working in construction and as a handyman. She offered him lodging in a separate dwelling located behind their main residence.
Federal prosecutors have charged Ortega-Lopez with being an undocumented immigrant found in possession of firearms and ammunition. Court records allegedly show him handling weapons.
Former Judge Cano has denied any awareness of Ortega-Lopez’s suspected connections to Tren de Aragua. However, investigators claim they have uncovered incriminating text messages and voicemails suggesting a link between Ortega-Lopez and the gang.
“Let me be as crystal clear as possible,” Cano stated before the New Mexico Supreme Court. “The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid.”
Wisconsin judge arrested for helping illegal immigrant avoid ICE
In a separate development, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Friday that agents had taken a Milwaukee County judge into custody.
The judge is suspected of helping an undocumented immigrant from Mexico avoid arrest by federal agents.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers attempted to detain a Mexican national, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, following a courtroom appearance overseen by Judge Hannah Dugan last week.
According to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, ICE agents presented themselves at the courthouse with the intention of taking Flores Ruiz into custody.
Instead of cooperating, Dugan allegedly diverted the agents to the office of Chief Judge Carl Ashley and instructed the defendant to exit the premises through a side door, allowing him to temporarily evade arrest, until he was chased down by two federal agents.
Chief Judge Ashley sent a message to fellow judges describing the situation and stating that ICE agents did provide an arrest warrant and followed courthouse procedures.
Dugan responded to that communication, disputing the claim: “A warrant was not presented.”
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” Patel said in a now-deleted post.
“Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”
Dugan appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries during a brief hearing on Friday.
She has been accused of obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest. The charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine.
“Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge,” her lawyer said in statement. “Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated.”
