By USA Daily Now 
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, have been released on bond after being accused of harboring an illegal alien associated with a Venezuelan gang. The couple was arrested in April 2023 following a federal raid on their Las Cruces, New Mexico home, where they allegedly harbored Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
According to federal charges, the Canos were accused of tampering with evidence. Court records revealed that they were each released on $10,000 bond on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, under specific conditions.
Investigations began in January after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a tip that Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant and alleged Tren de Aragua member, was residing in the U.S. unlawfully at the Canos’ property. Authorities also accused him of possessing firearms, which is a federal offense for illegal immigrants.
Court documents disclosed that Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2023 by climbing over a barbed wire fence. He was reportedly hired by Nancy Cano for home repair work and later offered accommodation in the couple’s guesthouse.
During a search warrant executed on April 24, law enforcement officials discovered that Joel Cano allegedly destroyed Ortega-Lopez‘s cellphone with a hammer and discarded the remnants in a local landfill. Joel Cano reportedly admitted to the act, claiming he believed the phone contained incriminating photographs of Ortega-Lopez with firearms, which had been shared on social media.
Federal agents confiscated additional phones allegedly belonging to Ortega-Lopez, which contained messages confirming his affiliation with Tren de Aragua, as well as images of him with firearms and ammunition. Social media videos reportedly showed Ortega-Lopez firing an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a suppressor.
Following the arrest, Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March 2023. The New Mexico Supreme Court later barred him from holding any judicial office in the state. The Canos now face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “The rule of law is very simple. It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts, and we will prosecute you.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Canos’ attorney for comment.
[Source: Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com)