A Venezuelan national suspected of being part of the Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization, has pleaded guilty to illegal firearms possession and conspiracy to destroy evidence in New Mexico.
Court documents state that Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, entered the United States unlawfully in December 2023 and was released pending removal proceedings. In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations received a tip that Ortega-Lopez, believed to be associated with the U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Tren de Aragua, was living in Las Cruces and had access to firearms.
Ortega-Lopez posted multiple photos and videos on Facebook and TikTok showing himself handling, displaying, and firing various guns at a local shooting range and other sites. On December 24, 2024, he posted content from the home of April Cano, a social media influencer and gun enthusiast. The footage showed him holding a rifle with tactical equipment and wearing a ballistic helmet with night vision goggles. In the videos, Ortega-Lopez called April Cano's parents "Patron" and "Patrona," and told an informant he received a firearm as a Christmas gift from the Cano family.
Ortega-Lopez worked for the Cano family in exchange for housing. The family also took him to shooting ranges and gave him access to firearms.
On February 28, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants at April Cano’s residence and seized four firearms. During an interview after his arrest, Ortega-Lopez admitted knowing it was illegal for him to possess those weapons. In April 2025, he conspired with another individual to delete his Facebook account to prevent evidence from being used at trial.
Nancy Cano has been charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Jose Cano faces charges of both conspiracy to tamper with evidence and tampering with evidence. Both are currently released under conditions while awaiting trial.
Ortega-Lopez pleaded guilty to charges of being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as conspiracy to tamper with evidence. He could face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with support from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Prosecutors Maria Y. Armijo, Randy Castellano, and Elizabeth Tonkin are handling the case as part of Operation Take Back America—a national effort by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime by coordinating resources through initiatives like OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
