Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — A Venezuelan national and suspected Tren de Aragua member, who was allegedly housed by a former New Mexico judge and his wife, has been sentenced to 19 months in prison. Cristhian Ortega-Lopez was sentenced to 19 months in jail on two charges — illegally possessing firearms and conspiring to destroy evidence. Court documents state that in January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations received an anonymous tip that Ortega-Lopez was living in Las Cruces and in possession of firearms. Ortega-Lopez worked for Joel and Nancy Cano and received housing in return. Joel Cano is a former Dona Ana County magistrate. The Canos have also been arrested in connection with the case and were charged with tampering with evidence. The Canos kept in contact with Ortega-Lopez after he was arrested, and admitted to destroying evidence related to the case. They’re scheduled to stand trial starting Sept. 21st.
