A New Mexico magistrate judge has been taken into federal custody in a scandal that’s shaking the justice system to its core. Juan Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested by the FBI for allegedly sheltering an illegal immigrant tied to a violent South American gang—raising urgent questions about corruption, security, and who is really upholding the law in America’s courts.

From Handyman to Gang Contact

The arrest of 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega Lopez set off a chain of events that led straight to the doorstep of Judge Cano. Federal investigators say Ortega Lopez—linked to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang—was living in a guesthouse behind the Cano residence in Doña Ana County. The arrangement began after Nancy Cano reportedly met him while he was performing handyman work and brought him onto their property.

Despite entering the country illegally in December 2023, Ortega Lopez was released on “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding at the southern border—a move critics argue invites exploitation by criminal groups. The FBI raid on the Cano property found Ortega Lopez in possession of firearms—some allegedly owned by Judge Cano’s daughter, April—alongside mounting evidence of gang affiliations.

Ties to Tren de Aragua Raise Alarm

Tren de Aragua is no ordinary gang—it’s a sprawling criminal network responsible for human trafficking, extortion, drug smuggling, and brutal violence across Latin America. Now it’s creeping into American communities, enabled by open-border policies and lax immigration enforcement.

Investigators found Ortega Lopez flaunting gang-affiliated clothing and tattoos on social media, along with voicemails and messages tying him directly to the group. He was caught on camera using firearms at a local shooting range, raising red flags that ultimately triggered the federal raid.

BREAKING: FBI Arrests Democrat New Mexico Judge and Wife for Harboring Illegal Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Their Home

READ: https://t.co/mphulPHCaE pic.twitter.com/L89pFnKZnF

— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) April 24, 2025

Cano Faces Permanent Ban from Public Office

After his arrest, Judge Cano quickly resigned, but that didn’t stop the fallout. The New Mexico Supreme Court has permanently banned him from ever holding judicial office again. Meanwhile, Ortega Lopez faces up to 15 years in prison, and the Canos are under investigation for harboring an illegal alien with known gang ties—potentially facing years behind bars themselves.

BREAKING: FBI arrests NM Judge Juan Cano & wife for harboring Tren de Aragua gang member.pic.twitter.com/7lpkY4qncB https://t.co/DZCq0WHgbR

— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) April 25, 2025

The entire episode highlights the dangerous overlap between weak border enforcement, lenient parole policies, and corruption in public institutions. When a judge—a former police officer, no less—is willing to shield a known gang member from federal authorities, the rule of law comes under direct attack.

This is more than a criminal case. It’s a warning about what happens when criminal cartels exploit broken systems—and how far their reach can go.

Sources:

• BREAKING: FBI Arrests Democrat New Mexico Judge and Wife for Harboring Illegal Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Their Home | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft

• Ex-New Mexico judge, wife arrested for allegedly harboring illegal Tren de Aragua member