New Mexico Judge Arrested for Alleged Evidence Tampering in Venezuelan Gang Case
Former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Jose Luis “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested on charges related to evidence tampering. Joel Cano allegedly destroyed a tenant’s phone, fearing incriminating photos and videos connected to the tenant’s suspected affiliation with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The tenant, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, faces firearms charges. Nancy Cano is accused of attempting to delete Ortega-Lopez’s social media accounts. This case mirrors a similar incident involving a Milwaukee judge accused of aiding an illegal immigrant’s escape from authorities.
John Q. Hosedrinker