ALBUQUERQUE, NM – An illegal immigrant who is also a suspected transnational gang member pleaded guilty to weapons charges as well as conspiracy to destroy evidence after authorities caught wind of the Venezuelan national posting pictures and videos of himself on social media with various firearms.
An October 8th press release from the Justice Department detailed the guilty plea obtained in the case against 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national who was living in Las Cruces at a residence reportedly owned by a former magistrate judge and the judge’s wife, identified as Jose “Joel” Cano and Nancy Cano.
Ortega-Lopez, who authorities believe is affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Araqua, had posted a number of pictures and videos of himself handling firearms to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook back in 2024 while at the residence of April Cano, the daughter of Joel and Nancy.
In February 2025, a search warrant was executed at the residence of April Cano, with Ortega-Lopez admitting he recognized the four firearms seized at the residence and further admitted to knowing it was illegal for him to possess them.
Ortega-Lopez also told authorities that Joel and Nancy Cano gifted him a firearm for Christmas one year.
The Venezuelan national pleaded guilty to alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to tamper with evidence, which the aforementioned charges could land Ortega-Lopez in federal prison for 20 years upon sentencing.
Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens issued a statement following the outcome of Ortega-Lopez’s case, underscoring the dangers posed by illegal alien gang members having access to firearms.
“As this case demonstrates, HSI is committed to identifying and dismantling threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations and their members,” SAC Stevens stated.
“The illegal possession of firearms by individuals who are not only in the country illegally but also affiliated with violent criminal organizations poses a significant danger to our communities. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that those who violate our laws and endanger public safety are held accountable.”
In a separate case related to Ortega-Lopez’s, Joel and Nancy Cano were indicted earlier in October on charges related to tampering with evidence.
According to a CNN report this past April which detailed the arrests of the Canos, Joel allegedly admitted to authorities that he “destroyed Ortega-Lopez’s phone” due to concerns the phone harbored evidence of Ortega-Lopez’s guilt.
Nancy Cano also allegedly spoke with Ortega-Lopez during a jailhouse phone call, where the two discussed how to delete his social media accounts following his arrest.
An October 8th press release from the Justice Department detailed the guilty plea obtained in the case against 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national who was living in Las Cruces at a residence reportedly owned by a former magistrate judge and the judge’s wife, identified as Jose “Joel” Cano and Nancy Cano.
Ortega-Lopez, who authorities believe is affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Araqua, had posted a number of pictures and videos of himself handling firearms to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook back in 2024 while at the residence of April Cano, the daughter of Joel and Nancy.
In February 2025, a search warrant was executed at the residence of April Cano, with Ortega-Lopez admitting he recognized the four firearms seized at the residence and further admitted to knowing it was illegal for him to possess them.
Ortega-Lopez also told authorities that Joel and Nancy Cano gifted him a firearm for Christmas one year.
The Venezuelan national pleaded guilty to alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to tamper with evidence, which the aforementioned charges could land Ortega-Lopez in federal prison for 20 years upon sentencing.
Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens issued a statement following the outcome of Ortega-Lopez’s case, underscoring the dangers posed by illegal alien gang members having access to firearms.
“As this case demonstrates, HSI is committed to identifying and dismantling threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations and their members,” SAC Stevens stated.
“The illegal possession of firearms by individuals who are not only in the country illegally but also affiliated with violent criminal organizations poses a significant danger to our communities. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that those who violate our laws and endanger public safety are held accountable.”
In a separate case related to Ortega-Lopez’s, Joel and Nancy Cano were indicted earlier in October on charges related to tampering with evidence.
According to a CNN report this past April which detailed the arrests of the Canos, Joel allegedly admitted to authorities that he “destroyed Ortega-Lopez’s phone” due to concerns the phone harbored evidence of Ortega-Lopez’s guilt.
Nancy Cano also allegedly spoke with Ortega-Lopez during a jailhouse phone call, where the two discussed how to delete his social media accounts following his arrest.
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Comments
2025-10-17T13:46-0400 | Comment by: Josh
I hope they drop the hammer on this former magistrate judge. He knows exactly what he did was breaking the law. I’m sure he feels that he’s above the law though, because of his previous position.