Ex-Judge, Wife Arrested for Evidence Tampering in Aragua Train Case
Ex-Judge Faces Scrutiny After Migrant’s Arrest, Gang Links Probed
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A former New Mexico judge is under investigation following the arrest of a migrant living on his property, who is suspected of having ties to a Venezuelan criminal gang known as the Aragua Train. The arrest and subsequent investigation have raised questions about the judge’s knowlege of the migrant’s alleged criminal connections.
Pamela Bondi, former United States Secretary of Justice, told fox News that authorities received information indicating the migrant was residing with the judge. “this is the last person we want in our country, we will never tolerate a judge or any other person,” she said.
the suspect, Cristhian Ortega López, had reportedly posted photos and videos on Facebook appearing to show him at shooting ranges and holding firearms, including what appeared to be assault rifles, according to court documents.
Investigators identified tattoos, clothing, and hand gestures in Ortega López’s online posts that thay say are “commonly associated” with the Aragua Train. This evidence,according to the criminal complaint,suggests a potential link between Ortega López and the gang.
The Aragua Train, which originated in a Venezuelan prison, has expanded its operations to the United States. The gang is allegedly involved in human trafficking and other crimes targeting immigrants, as well as money laundering, drug smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The former judge, josé Luis Cano, has denied any wrongdoing. He claims he had no prior knowledge of Ortega López’s alleged ties to the Aragua Train or of any criminal activity. Cano defended his decision to allow the men to stay on his property, according to a 23-page letter presented to the New mexico Supreme Court, as reported by KOAT, a CNN affiliate.
“Let me be as clear as possible,” Cano said,according to KOAT. ”The first time I heard that (men) could have some association with the Aragua train was when the agents informed me the day of the raid.”
Search warrants were executed on February 28 at multiple locations,including Cano’s residence,”La Casa de los Cano.” Ortega López was arrested and charged. Investigators found three cell phones belonging to ortega López at the Cano residence, while four firearms were discovered at another property that was also searched, according to court documents.
A phone call made by Ortega López at the time of his arrest led investigators to believe he possessed another cell phone. On April 22, authorities requested any recorded jail calls, messages, videos, and deposits related to Ortega.
Investigators discovered two video messages between Nancy Cano and Ortega López, which showed a fourth phone and both arguing how potentially eliminated Ortega López’s Facebook accounts, according to the complaint against Nancy Cano.
This finding prompted investigators to execute another search warrant at the Cano property on Thursday, seeking another phone owned by Ortega López, as well as a phone belonging to Nancy Cano, according to the complaint.
During the search, José Luis Cano told investigators that he destroyed Ortega López’s phone “breaking it with a hammer and discarding the remaining pieces in the garbage container of the city approximately five weeks ago.” He stated he believed the phone ”contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively” about Ortega López, according to the complaint against him.
When pressed for more information, Cano said he destroyed the phone becuase he believed it contained photos of Ortega López holding firearms, according to the complaint.
ICE and the U.S. Department of Justice have been contacted for further information regarding the case.
The arrests of José Luis and Nancy Cano follow the former judge’s resignation from his position in March, according to court documents. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered José Luis Cano to never hold or run for a judicial position in New Mexico in the future, according to the documents.
Ex-Judge Under Scrutiny: Questions and Answers About the Case
Introduction: This article delves into the inquiry surrounding a former New Mexico judge and his connection to a migrant suspected of ties to the Aragua Train, a Venezuelan criminal gang. The following Q&A provides a comprehensive overview of the case,based solely on the provided details.
Q: What is the central focus of the investigation?
A: The investigation centers around a former New Mexico judge,José Luis Cano,and his relationship wiht Cristhian Ortega López,a migrant who was living on Cano’s property. Ortega López is suspected of having ties to the Aragua Train, a Venezuelan criminal gang. The investigation aims to understand the extent of the judge’s knowledge of these alleged connections.
Q: Who is cristhian Ortega López, and what are the allegations against him?
A: Cristhian Ortega López is a migrant who was residing on José Luis Cano’s property. He is suspected of having ties to the aragua Train. According to court documents, Ortega López reportedly posted photos and videos on Facebook depicting him at shooting ranges and holding firearms, perhaps including assault rifles. Investigators have identified online posts of Ortega López, containing tattoos, clothing, and gestures “commonly associated” with the Aragua Train, according to the criminal complaint, suggesting a link between Ortega López and the gang.
Q: What is the Aragua Train gang?
A: The Aragua Train is a Venezuelan criminal gang that originated in a Venezuelan prison. It has expanded its operations to the United States. Allegedly, the gang is involved in human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion
Q: What are the specific allegations against the judge, José Luis Cano?
A: The primary question being investigated is whether Cano was aware of Ortega López’s alleged ties to the Aragua Train or any criminal activity. Cano has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had no prior knowledge of Ortega López’s alleged connections.Further investigation stems from Cano instructing the disposal of Ortega Lopez’s phone, as well as the deletion of facebook accounts.
Q: What did investigators find in their searches?
A: During the search warrants executed on February 28 at multiple locations, including Cano’s residence, investigators found three cell phones belonging to Ortega López. Four firearms were discovered at another property. Authorities requested recorded jail calls,messages,videos,and deposits related to Ortega. Investigators discovered two video messages exchanged between Nancy Cano and Ortega López, which showed a fourth phone and both arguing how to potentially eliminate Ortega López’s Facebook accounts.
Q: What actions has José Luis Cano taken that are under scrutiny?
A: José Luis Cano told investigators he destroyed Ortega López’s phone by breaking it with a hammer and discarding the pieces in the garbage approximately five weeks ago. He stated he believed the phone contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively about Ortega López. He also stated it contained photos of Ortega López holding firearms. Nancy Cano is reportedly under investigation for the deletion of Ortega Lopez’s Facebook accounts.
Q: What has been the legal outcome for José Luis Cano?
A: José Luis Cano resigned from his judicial position in March. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered him to never hold or run for a judicial position in New Mexico in the future.
Q: Has any other information been sought in this case?
A: ICE and the U.S. Department of Justice have been contacted for further information regarding the case.
Conclusion: This case involves serious allegations and has led to significant legal repercussions. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected.