A Venezuelan national, identified as Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegally possessing firearms and conspiring to destroy evidence. This case has drawn attention due to Ortega-Lopez’s alleged affiliation with the transnational criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua.
Ortega-Lopez, aged 23, entered the United States illegally on December 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings. According to court documents, the case began when Homeland Security Investigations received an anonymous tip in January 2024, indicating that Ortega-Lopez was residing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, while in possession of firearms.
Social media posts revealed Ortega-Lopez showcasing various firearms. He allegedly shared numerous photos and videos on his Facebook and TikTok accounts, displaying himself shooting at a local range and handling firearms in different settings. Some of these posts surfaced in December 2024, where he was seen at the residence of April Cano, a local social media influencer and gun enthusiast.
During these videos, Ortega-Lopez referred to April Cano’s parents, Nancy and Joel Cano, using the terms “Patron” and “Patrona.” He reportedly mentioned that he received a firearm as a Christmas gift from the Cano family. Joel Cano is notably a former Democratic magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, which adds a layer of complexity to the case.
The Cano family reportedly provided housing for Ortega-Lopez in exchange for work. They also permitted him access to firearms and took him to shooting ranges, according to federal officials. In February 2024, agents executed search warrants at the Cano residence, where they seized four firearms. Ortega-Lopez acknowledged during a post-Miranda interview that he was aware of the illegality of possessing these weapons.
In a further development, Ortega-Lopez conspired with another individual to delete his Facebook account, attempting to eliminate potential evidence against him for an upcoming trial.
In a significant turn of events, both Nancy and Joel Cano were indicted this week on charges related to evidence tampering. Nancy Cano faces charges of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, while Joel Cano is charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence and actual tampering. They currently remain under conditions of release pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
Joel Cano announced his resignation from the bench in March 2024, and subsequent to this, the New Mexico Supreme Court imposed a lifetime ban on him from seeking any state judicial office. The implications of this case extend beyond Ortega-Lopez, raising serious questions about the involvement of local figures in criminal activities.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community watches closely, with responses from both law enforcement and the public indicating heightened concerns about the presence of such organizations within local areas.
