Attorney General Pam Bondi has brought to light alarming behavior by former New Mexico judge Joel Cano, who reportedly took extreme measures to protect a violent gang member from the Tren de Aragua (TDA). The revelations surfaced following Cano's resignation and subsequent lifetime prohibition from occupying any judicial position in New Mexico.
The case unfolded when it was revealed that Cano had obstructed justice by destroying a cell phone linked to a TDA gang member named Ortega-Lopez. In a Fox News interview, Bondi highlighted that Cano personally shattered the phone, which held gruesome images, and disposed of it in a dumpster to eliminate evidence. Cano was formally charged with obstruction for his actions.
The already grim situation took a more sinister turn upon discovery that Cano's wife, Nancy Cano, was also implicated in destroying evidence. According to reports from Trending Politics, Ortega-Lopez, who had been staying at the Cano family residence, distributed photos of decapitated victims through text messages. The phone, Bondi emphasized, contained horrific evidence, including images of two beheaded individuals.
The involvement of the Cano family with Ortega-Lopez set off alarm bells, especially given the Tren de Aragua gang's expanding presence in the United States. Bondi expressed her disdain, noting that Ortega-Lopez, a violent criminal with access to assault rifles used at a shooting range with other suspected gang members, is not the type of individual welcomed in the U.S. The weapons, reportedly belonging to the Cano family's daughter, were found in the home.
The scandal over Cano's behavior began to unfold after Ortega-Lopez's arrest by Homeland Security on February 28. The raid targeted a property owned by Nancy Cano, where Ortega-Lopez and other illegal immigrants were staying. Court documents disclosed that Ortega-Lopez had entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 and had been permitted to live in a "casita" behind the Cano family's home after performing some contract work.
Federal authorities seized four firearms from the property, with evidence indicating that Ortega-Lopez had manipulated and discharged firearms belonging to April Cano, the judge's daughter. This case provoked questions regarding the degree to which the Cano family may have facilitated the criminal undertakings of Ortega-Lopez.
In response to the scandal, Judge Cano resigned in March, departing with a vague message to his fellow judges. The New Mexico Supreme Court acted swiftly, enforcing a lifetime ban on Cano, barring him from ever serving in a judicial capacity again.
The Tren de Aragua gang, often likened to MS-13 for its viciousness, is now considered a significant threat to U.S. national security by Homeland Security. The gang's activities have proliferated nationwide, with operations detected in cities such as Los Angeles and Aurora, Colorado.
The case also scrutinized the initial release of Ortega-Lopez by a U.S. magistrate judge who questioned whether Cano would have allowed such a risky individual to reside in his home. Nevertheless, federal prosecutors are now seeking to overturn this decision, pointing to compelling evidence of Ortega-Lopez's criminal conduct and the danger he represents to the community.
