JUDGE TAMPERED WITH EVIDENCE

JUDGE JOEL CANO SMASHED TERRORIST’S CELL PHONE TRYING TO REMOVE PIX

BY SNN.BZ STAFF

1. Destruction of a Phone:
   • U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Joel Cano admitted, after being informed of his Miranda rights, to taking a cellphone belonging to a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez. Cano reportedly smashed the phone with a hammer and disposed of the pieces in a city dumpster to protect Ortega-Lopez. The phone allegedly contained incriminating evidence, including photos of two decapitated victims.
   • This action led to Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, being charged with tampering with evidence. They were arrested on April 24, 2025, by federal agents during aid on their Las Cruces, New Mexico, home.
2. Context of the Phone Destruction:
   • The phone belonged to Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang, who was living in a guesthouse (“casita”) on the Cano property. Ortega-Lopez was arrested on February 28, 2025, during an earlier raid at the Cano residence for illegal firearm possession and immigration violations.
   • Social media posts by Ortega-Lopez showed him posing with firearms, some allegedly provided by April Cano, the Canos’ daughter. These posts, along with gang-related tattoos, clothing, and other evidence, linked him to Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
3. No Mention of a Desert:
   • The sources consistently state that Cano disposed of the phone pieces in a “city dumpster,” not in a desert. Claims about a desert appear to be unsupported by the provided web and X post references. It’s possible this detail stems from misinformation or unverified claims circulating online.
4. Legal and Professional Consequences:
   • Arrest and Charges: Joel and Nancy Cano were arrested on April 24, 2025, and charged with evidence tampering. They were detained at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.
   • Judicial Ban: The New Mexico Supreme Court permanently barred Cano from holding judicial office in the state on April 22, 2025, following his resignation on March 3, 2025. The resignation came shortly after the February raid and was stipulated with the condition that he never again serve as a judge or exercise judicial authority, including officiating weddings.
   • Investigation: The case is led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with involvement from the FBI and ICE. The investigation began in January 2025 after a tip that undocumented immigrants, including Ortega-Lopez, were living at the Cano residence and had access to firearms.
5. Cano’s Defense:
   • Cano denied knowing about Ortega-Lopez’s alleged gang ties, calling the accusations “sensationalism at the highest possible level.” In a 23-page letter to the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, he claimed he was unaware of any criminal activity and noted that the individuals had immigration paperwork indicating they were not subject to removal. He emphasized that he would not have allowed his grandchildren near the men if he sensed danger.
   • Cano also denied providing firearms, stating that he only attended a shooting range as a spectator and did not bring weapons or ammunition.
6. Additional Context:
   • Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 and met Nancy Cano while working as a handyman. After being evicted from an apartment in April 2024, Nancy offered him the guesthouse.
   • Two other Venezuelan nationals, Juan Manuel Acevedo-Leon and Efren Jose Montilla-Castillo, were also arrested at the Cano property during the February raid, with a fourth individual, Jhordan Alehandro Santeliz-Lugo, mentioned in court documents but not residing there.
   • The case has drawn significant attention due to the Trump administration’s focus on Tren de Aragua and illegal immigration, with figures like DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and New Mexico Republican Party chairwoman Amy Barela emphasizing accountability.

Critical Examination:

• The claim about Cano taking phones to a desert appears to be a distortion or fabrication, as no credible source mentions this. The consistent narrative across multiple outlets and court documents points to a city dumpster as the disposal site.
• The destruction of the phone raises serious questions about Cano’s intent, as it suggests an attempt to obstruct justice. However, Cano’s defense that he was unaware of gang affiliations could indicate he acted out of misguided loyalty or fear rather than criminal collusion, though this remains speculative.
• The case highlights broader issues of judicial accountability and immigration enforcement, with political figures leveraging it to underscore concerns about illegal immigration and gang activity. The designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization amplifies the stakes, but some, like Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, argue the gang’s threat is exaggerated.

Conclusion:

Joel Cano admitted to destroying a cellphone belonging to a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member and disposing of it in a city dumpster, not a desert, to protect the individual. This action, along with allegations of harboring undocumented immigrants with gang ties, led to his and his wife’s arrest on evidence tampering charges, his resignation, and a permanent ban from judicial office. The desert claim appears unsubstantiated based on available evidence. For further details, court documents and statements from HSI or ICE would provide additional clarity.