Video shows moment ex-Judge Joel Cano and wife arrested after allegedly sheltering illegal Tren de Aragua member in their home
New video captured the moment a recently retired New Mexico judge and his wife were hauled away in cuffs by the feds for allegedly sheltering a suspected Tren de Aragua gangbanger at their home.
The footage, shot by KFOX14 News, showed ex-Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose 'Joel' Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, being taken into custody following the federal raid at their Las Cruces home on Thursday.
At one point, the seemingly calm Democratic judge could be seen with his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke to a heavily armed FBI agent on the sidewalk.
Advertisement
3 Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano is arrested.
KFOX14/CBS4
3 Nancy Cano is arrested.
KFOX14/CBS4
His wife was spotted being escorted away in handcuffs by a female Homeland Security Investigation officer.
The judge was subsequently hit with a tampering with evidence charge, while his spouse was charged with conspiracy to tamper.
Advertisement
The raid came soon after it was revealed Cano had quietly tendered his resignation last month after the couple were accused of harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez — an accused illegal migrant who the feds say is a member of the violent Venezuelan gang.
Immigration authorities had nabbed the 23-year-old alleged gang member at the couple's home on Feb. 28.
In a separate raid at the home of the couple's daughter, ICE recovered four firearms — some of which allegedly belong to Ortega-Lopez, investigators said.
Advertisement
Cano, who had served as a judge since 2011, made no mention of the migrant's arrest in his resignation letter.
Ortega-Lopez had allegedly been living in the couple's guesthouse after he was initially hired by Nancy to work as a handyman, according to court documents.
3 A Christmas photo from 2024 of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in the Cano family home, court documents state.
U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
The feds have alleged Ortega-Lopez has known TdA tattoos, as well as clothing and social media posts linking him to the gang.
Advertisement
Social media photos show Ortega-Lopez posing for Christmas photos with the Cano family.
He allegedly entered the US unlawfully in 2023 — crossing the border near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 15.
He was released just days after with a notice to appear before a federal immigration judge.
He is now being held on federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Mom of Bronx teen killed in 2018 gang slaying backs Cuomo for mayor
The mother of a 15-year-old Bronx boy killed in a vicious 2018 gang slaying said Saturday she's backing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor because he's best qualified to clean up Gotham's crime-ridden streets. 'I don't want to see any more parents losing their children,' Leandra Feliz, mother of the late Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz, exclusively told The Post when asked why she supports Cuomo. 'You know, with this crime in the city, we need somebody to make changes. We need it.' Leandra Feliz, mother of the late Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz, said she's backing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for NYC mayor because he's best qualified to clean up Gotham's crime-ridden streets. Tomas E Gaston Two dozen members of the 'Trinitarios' street gang were busted in the shocking June 20, 2018, caught-on-video attack on the teenager at a Belmont bodega, in what authorities said was a case of mistaken identity. The heartbroken mom appeared with Cuomo at a Bronx news conference to reflect on her son's death seven years later. Cuomo — the frontrunner heading into Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary — promoted himself as a law-and-order candidate while painting socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is polling second behind him, as a 'Defund The Police' radical. Cuomo — who's vowed to hire 5,000 more cops if mayor — also claimed he's the best candidate because 'experience matters, qualifications matter.' The event bizarrely included Cuomo unveiling large images of Mamdani social media posts from 2020 demanding the City Council defund cops. Leandra Feliz (right)outside Bronx Supreme Court in 2018 when her son's alleged killers appeared for a hearing. for New York Post 'We need to elect a socialist city council to defund the NYPD,' read a Mamdani tweet in October 2023 Cuomo used as a prop. Leandra Feliz' home is a monument to her lost teen, with his smiling face depicted everywhere, from artwork hung on the walls to a throw pillow. She keeps the jacket Junior wore as an NYPD Explorer framed on the wall, next to shirt in a frame with her son's name and the phrase, 'Gone, but not forgotten.' 'Nobody feels safe in New York. … Everybody's scared. Nobody feels safe,' she said. 'So we need to do something to stop the violence, stop the crimes. We need help. And this is not for me. This is for everybody. 'I don't want to see any more parents losing their children.'
3 hours ago
Ex-Texas US Rep. Blake Farenthold, who left office amid harassment allegations, dies at 63
Former Texas Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, who left Congress amid sexual harassment allegations, has died. He was 63. He died in a Corpus Christi hospital and suffered heart and liver problems in recent years, Steve Ray, his former longtime political consultant, said. Farenthold's wife, Debbie Farenthold, confirmed that he died Friday. Blake Farenthold was elected in 2010, upsetting long-serving Democratic U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz. Seven years later, Farenthold announced that he wouldn't seek reelection. In a video he posted on his campaign's Facebook page at the time, he denied a former aide's three-year-old accusations, which included that he'd subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired her after she complained. He apologized for an office atmosphere he said included 'destructive gossip, offhand comments, off-color jokes and behavior that in general was less than professional.' He said in the video that if he stayed in Congress, he would have spent months trying to vindicate himself. 'We all make mistakes,' Ray said Saturday. 'He made some mistakes.' Ray described him as a 'techie' who was interested in the internet and technology before getting involved in politics. 'He did a tremendous job as congressman for this area,' Ray said, noting that Farenthold cared about fighting crime and promoting transparency. 'His heart was really always in the right place.' Before becoming a congressman, Farenthold was a sidekick for a conservative radio talk show host, Ray said. 'When he decided to run, nobody in the world thought he was going to win,' Ray said. When he left office, Farenthold started his own radio show, which he continued until he died. In addition to his wife, Farenthold is survived by two adult daughters, Morgan Baucum and Amanda Lawrence, Ray said.
UPI
3 hours ago
- UPI
NC governor vetoes permit-less concealed carry, ICE cooperation
1 of 2 | Immigration and Customs Enforcement makes an arrest in Californa. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein voted legislation that would have required law enforcement to coordinate operations with immigration officers. Photo by ICE/Flickr June 21 (UPI) -- North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill to require state law enforcement to work more closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in addition to another that would allow permit-less concealed carry of firearms. The Democratic governor on Friday announced vetoes of the legislation, which had been approved by both legislative chambers. Stein said the state is already stretched to assist federal officers. "My oath of office requires that I uphold the Constitution of the United States," Stein said. "Therefore, I cannot sign this bill because it would require sheriffs to unconstitutionally detain people for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released. He noted the federeal Fourth Circuit "is clear that local law enforcement officers cannot keep people in custody solely based on a suspected immigration violation." Stein said he also wants offenders to be held accountable. "Let me be clear, anyone who commits a serious crime in North Carolina must be prosecuted and held accountable regardless of their immigration status." He said he supports the bills' efforts to require sheriffs to contact federal immigration authorities about people in their custody charged with dangerous crimes, including sexual battery, armed robbery, arson, assault on public officials and court personnel. The vetoes were supported by Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden. Republicans blasted the decision by the governor, who was elected in November. "Gov. Stein proved where his allegiances are," state Senate Leader Phil Berger posted on X. "He'd rather prioritize his far-left donors and their dangerous open-border policies over the citizens of North Carolina who are desperately pleading for us to put an end to the illegal immigration crisis. I look forward to the Senate overriding his veto." Stein also vetoed a bill that would have allowed permitless concealed carry in North Carolina. "This bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership," Stein said. "The bill eliminates training requirements associated with concealed carry permits and reduces the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years old. "We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering law enforcement officers and our people." Berger criticized the veto of this bill. "Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn't have to jump through hoops to effectively exercise their Second Amendment rights," the Senate leader said. "It's past time for us to join the majority of states that recognize Constitutional Carry. I look forward to the Senate overriding Gov. Stein's veto." To override a veto, three-fifths of the House and Senate must approve the bills. In the latest election, Democrats broke the Republican supermajority in the House by gaining one seat. The GOP has a one-vote supermajority in the Senate.
