A Venezuelan national, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Ortega-Lopez, 23, is suspected of being a member of the Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.
Court documents state that Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 and was released while awaiting removal proceedings. In January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations received an anonymous tip about his presence in Las Cruces and his alleged possession of firearms.
Ortega-Lopez posted several photos and videos on Facebook and TikTok that showed him handling and firing various firearms at a shooting range and other locations in Las Cruces. On December 24, 2024, he shared images from the home of April Cano, a social media influencer and gun enthusiast, where he was seen holding a rifle with tactical gear and wearing night vision goggles. He referred to April Cano’s parents as “Patron” and “Patrona,” claiming to have received a firearm from the family as a Christmas gift.
The Cano family employed Ortega-Lopez and provided him with housing. They also took him to shooting ranges and gave him access to their firearms.
On February 28, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants at April Cano’s residence, seizing four firearms. During questioning after his arrest, Ortega-Lopez admitted knowing it was illegal for him to possess the weapons. He later conspired with another individual to delete his Facebook account in an attempt to prevent evidence from being used against him.
Nancy and Jose Cano were indicted this week on charges related to tampering with evidence. Nancy faces conspiracy charges while Jose is charged with both conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Both are currently out on release pending trial.
Ortega-Lopez pleaded guilty to 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 and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.”
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with support from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Maria Y. Armijo, Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Castellano, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Tonkin as part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime by coordinating resources through programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
