State Representative Stefani Lord of New Mexico's District 22 has brought attention to a federal gun case involving an undocumented Venezuelan national suspected of gang ties. The case revealed a connection to firearms allegedly owned by the daughter of a judge.
"Further investigation led to the seizure of four firearms from the residence of April Cano," said Lord, New Mexico State Representative for 22nd District (R). "Ortega-Lopez was found in social media posts posing with weapons. Some of which he claimed were owned by April. He will probably walk."
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national with suspected gang affiliations, was federally charged in early 2025 for possessing firearms while unlawfully residing in the United States. He was found living at the Las Cruces property of former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Jose "Joel" Cano. According to the Associated Press, Cano and his wife allegedly attempted to destroy evidence related to the case, which led to state judicial discipline. Consequently, the New Mexico Supreme Court barred Cano from ever serving on the bench again, raising concerns about judicial accountability and potential links to organized crime.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), violations of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)—which prohibits undocumented individuals from possessing firearms—have increased significantly. Over 500 individuals were charged in a single two-week sweep in early 2025 in Arizona. This surge reflects heightened immigration enforcement intersecting with federal firearm laws. DOJ reports emphasize an increasing focus on noncitizen-related gun crimes, particularly near border states.
As reported by the New York Post, the federal case involving Ortega-Lopez revealed that firearms connected to him were stored at the residence of former Judge Cano’s daughter. This highlights rare but impactful cases where gun offenses intersect with familial ties to public officials. While no aggregate federal data exists on this specific category, experts note these incidents can complicate investigations and spark public distrust. The Cano case has drawn national scrutiny for these reasons.
According to the New Mexico Legislature’s official website, Rep. Lord is a Republican lawmaker serving District 22 since 2021. She holds a psychology degree and serves on legislative committees including Consumer and Public Affairs. Lord is an advocate for law enforcement support and public safety reforms, often sponsoring bills focused on crime prevention and emergency preparedness.
