Trial set for former Dona Ana County judge, wife accused of evidence tampering

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A trial date has been set for a former Dona Ana County magistrate judge and his wife accused of tampering with evidence in relation to the arrest of a suspected gang member.

Former judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy, are accused of illegally housing a suspected member of the Venezuelan crime organization, Tren de Aragua.

Court documents said Cristhian Ortega-Lopez met Nancy after getting a job to install a glass door in their home. She allegedly offered Ortega-Lopez to stay on their property in April 2024.

Ortega-Lopez was arrested in April 2025 and was sentenced to 19 months in federal prison in July 2026. He pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiring to tamper with evidence.

Agents executed search warrants in February 2025 and seized four firearms from April Cano's house.

Joel and Nancy's Cano's trial is set to start in January 2027.