Southwest
Ex-New Mexico judge, wife who allegedly harbored illegal Tren de Aragua member released on bond
A former New Mexico judge and his wife, who are accused of harboring a Venezuelan gang member in their home, have been released from jail on bond.
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested last month on charges of tampering with evidence after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home.
Court records show they were released on $10,000 bond each on Tuesday under certain conditions.
In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials received a tip that Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a designated foreign terrorist organization, “was residing with other illegal aliens in the United States unlawfully at an address located in Las Cruces, New Mexico…and was in possession of firearms,” a federal complaint states.
EX-NEW MEXICO JUDGE, WIFE TRIED TO HIDE EVIDENCE OF ILLEGAL ALIEN GANGBANGER, DOJ PROSECUTORS SAY
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, 68, and his wife, Nancy Cano, 67, are accused of harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an illegal immigrant and alleged member of Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang. (U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico /U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )
“Nancy and Jose Cano are the owners of the Premises,” the complaint said.
Court documents further revealed that Ortega, who entered the United States from Mexico illegally in 2023 by climbing over a barbed wire fence, was initially hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later offered accommodation in the couple’s guesthouse.
EX-NEW MEXICO JUDGE, WIFE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY HARBORING ILLEGAL TREN DE ARAGUA MEMBER
An HSI agent escorts former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano out of his home on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Courtesy of KFOX14)
Ortega is charged with being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition.
Federal authorities searched the Canos’ home on April 24 to locate Ortega-Lopez’s missing phone. During questioning, Joel Cano apparently admitted to authorities that he destroyed Ortega’s cellphone “with a hammer and discarded the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster” earlier this year.
FBI ARRESTS WISCONSIN JUDGE, ALLEGING SHE OBSTRUCTED ARREST OF ILLEGAL ALIEN
Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested last month on charges of tampering with evidence after federal agents raided their Las Cruces, New Mexico, home. (Doña Ana County Detention Center)
“Specifically, Jose Cano stated that he destroyed the cellphone and further admitted that he believed the cellphone contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively on Ortega,” a federal complaint states. “Through further questioning, agents ascertained that Jose Cano destroyed the cellphone, believing that it contained photographs of Ortega holding firearms that Ortega had uploaded onto social media platforms which would be additional incriminating evidence against him.”
Federal officials seized other cellphones from Oretga that apparently contained messages showing his “Tren de Aragua affiliation and photos of Ortega in possession of firearms and ammunition.” In social media videos, Ortega can allegedly be seen shooting “an AR-15 style rifle with a suppressor” at metal targets.
NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER ALLEGED TDA MEMBER ARRESTED AT HIS HOME
Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano. (U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico)
Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March, and last month, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently barring him from holding any judicial office in the state.
Joel and Nancy Cano face up to 15 years in prison. Fox News Digital reached out to their attorney for comment.
“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,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a video message last week.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
-
A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
-
Kentucky6 minutes agoOfficials identify missing woman as search enters third day
-
Louisiana9 minutes agoAASHTO Journal – Louisiana DOTD Completes I-20 Rehabilitation Project
-
Maine14 minutes agoAmtrak train strikes, kills man in Old Orchard Beach, Maine
-
Maryland21 minutes ago
Celebrate America 250 at Maryland State Parks with Fun Events Planned All Weekend
-
Michigan24 minutes agoUniversity of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker apologizes after investigation confirms
-
Massachusetts29 minutes agoCrash disupts traffic on Interstate 195 in Seekonk
-
Minnesota36 minutes agoMinnesota primary voting starts for major 2026 races
-
Mississippi39 minutes agoRetirement savings gap hits seniors. How to avoid outliving your money
