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The arrest of a member of the Tren de Aragua at the home of Democratic Judge Joel Cano in Las Cruces, New Mexico, highlights the deterioration of the U.S. justice system, which was once known for its integrity and incorruptibility.
Following the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-López on February 28, 2025, accused of illegal possession of firearms as a foreigner with irregular immigration status—having entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023—County Judge Joel Cano resigned from his position, although he did not specify the reasons for his resignation.
Democratic Judge Joel Cano with Cristhian Ortega López at his residence. See the shocking details of the case.
However, the reasons become more evident upon examining the prosecution’s evidence, which shows Ortega-López and Judge Cano together, as well as videos of the defendant handling firearms at a local shooting range.
During the arrest operation, weapons were found in the home of April Cano, daughter of Nancy Cano—wife of Judge Joel Cano—who allegedly allowed Cristhian Ortega-López access to her firearms.
Democratic Judge Joel Cano with Cristhian Ortega López and other alleged members of the Tren de Aragua.
Cristhian Ortega López had been sheltered by the Canos after being evicted from the apartment where he lived with other suspected members of the Tren de Aragua. The defendant had done some work for Nancy Cano.
Democratic Judge Joel Cano handling firearms.
Venezuelan Politics presents the court documents of the case and part of the horrifying evidence sustaining the prosecution’s accusations, which include chats and pictures of firearms and decapitations.
Notice of Appearance
On December 18, 2023, a Notice of Appearance (NTA) was issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Cristhian Adrián Ortega-López, a Venezuelan against whom this procedure initiated a deportation process.
The NTA details the allegations against Ortega-López for which he is considered not to have been admitted or granted legal permission to remain in the United States. He was informed that he is a foreign national on U.S. soil without having been admitted or granted conditional entry.
It is referenced that Ortega-López entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 15, 2023.
Cristhian Adrián Ortega-López was informed of his right to appear before an immigration judge, the possibility of legal representation, as well as the consequences of failing to appear at the hearing. The document also includes relevant information regarding the asylum process and the requirement to notify any address changes.
Arrest Warrant
On December 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an arrest warrant for Cristhian Adrián Ortega-López, authorizing any delegated officer to take him into custody.
The document states that Ortega-López is a foreigner who entered the country near Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 15, 2023, in violation of immigration laws and is subject to detention for the relevant legal processes.
The warrant was served on the specified date in Laredo, Texas, certifying that the individual was informed of his right to an attorney and was given a copy of the document.
Prosecution’s Appeal of Release Order
On March 17, 2025, Holland S. Kastrin, Acting U.S. Attorney, through Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Ysabel Armijo and Ryan Ellison, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Tonkin, filed an appeal before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico regarding the release order issued by District Judge Damián L. Martínez in favor of Cristhian Ortega-López, arguing that he poses a danger to the community and there is a risk of flight.
Cristhian Ortega-López, accused of illegal possession of firearms as a foreigner in the aforementioned court, has irregular immigration status, and violated his previous release conditions. Furthermore, it became evident that this individual is allegedly linked to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
The prosecution presented evidence such as social media posts, tattoos, and phone communications to support their request for preventive detention. The document outlines the nature of the crime, the weight of the evidence, the defendant’s background, and the potential danger to society.
The government reminds that Ortega-López was charged as an illegal foreigner in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5). The main argument of the government is that Ortega-López poses a danger to the community and there is significant risk of flight, with no release conditions that could reasonably mitigate these risks.
The investigation led to the arrest, admissions from the defendant, his immigration status, his alleged connection with the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TdA), designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States, and perceived errors in the decision of the District Judge.
The Case
Cristhian Ortega-López illegally entered the United States on December 15, 2023, and was released by Border Patrol on December 18, 2023, pending deportation proceedings. He was charged on March 3, 2025, with being an illegal foreigner in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The investigation began in January 2025 following an anonymous tip received by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alleging that Ortega-López, an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua, was residing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and possessed firearms.
Ortega-López posted pictures and videos on his personal Facebook account showing himself and other illegal Venezuelans at the Butterfield shooting range in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in possession of firearms.
Cristhian Ortega López with firearms at Butterfield shooting range in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Among the weapons was a Sig Sauer P365 pistol and an AR-15 rifle with a silencer, as well as a large amount of ammunition. He was identified in the videos by his distinctive tattoos.
Cristhian Ortega López with firearms.
Connection with the Tren de Aragua (TdA)
Further investigations into the social media accounts of Cristhian Ortega-López and others residing with him revealed “clear indicators of his association with the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a transnational criminal organization and Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designated by the United States.
During the raid on February 28, 2025, three cell phones associated with Ortega-López were seized. Analysis of these phones revealed a conversation where he mentions his AK-47 tattoo as a “Tren de Aragua” and expresses concern about informing his “boss” (presumably Nancy Cano).
Additionally, a conversation was found discussing a $5,000 reward offered by the state of Texas for members of the TdA, with mocking comments.
In another chat, a participant warns Ortega-López about sending potentially compromising photos in the United States, including a request to obtain “a grenade or two .38s.”
This conversation was followed by “a set of horrendous photographs of two victims of brutal murder, including mutilated bodies, decapitated heads, and dismembered hands.”
Ortega López’s Admission
The document states that during an interview following the reading of his Miranda rights, Cristhian Ortega-López admitted to illegally entering the United States from Mexico through Texas in December 2023.
He related his transfer to Denver and then to El Paso, Texas, narrating how he met Nancy Cano in Las Cruces, for whom he did work and who subsequently offered him accommodation at her property. He also admitted knowing April Cano, Nancy Cano’s daughter, who possessed numerous firearms and who allowed him to hold and, on occasion, fire them.
Ortega-López recognized four seized firearms from April Cano’s residence as the same ones appearing in his social media photos, including a Geissele SD 5.56 rifle, a Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol, and a Volquartsen VT2 .22 rifle. “The defendant admitted that he knew it was illegal for him to possess firearms.”
Risk Assessment of Flight and Danger to the Community
The Pre-Trial Services (PTS) report evaluated Cristhian Adrián Ortega-López as a flight risk due to several factors, including the nature of the crime, lack of familial, residential, community, employment, and financial ties in the United States, his links to Venezuela, unstable housing situation, and previous criminal record.
PTS established a danger risk due to the nature of the crime, criminal association, possible connection with the TdA, criminal history, and the fact that the charge involves violence. Hence, his detention was recommended, concluding that no conditions could reasonably ensure his appearance and community safety.
District Judge’s Decision and Government Appeal
On March 14, 2025, District Judge Damián L. Martínez held a detention hearing in which he made comments about knowing a “Judge Cano” and his ability to detect “nonsense.”
Implicitly, Judge Martínez considered that if Nancy Cano—who allowed Ortega-López to live at her property—was a person of sound judgment, then the defendant would not pose a risk either. Consequently, the judge ruled that the defendant did not present a flight risk nor a danger to the community and ordered his release. He also requested that PTS conduct another interview with Nancy Cano as a potential third-party custodian. The prosecution appealed this decision on March 17, 2025, arguing that the judge erred by not ordering Ortega-López’s detention.