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Venezuelan National Linked to Tren de Aragua Sentenced for Gun Charges

KVIA•Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 3:11 AM•Paul Schulz

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Cristhian Adrian Ortega Lopez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua criminal group, has been sentenced to 19 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms and conspiring to tamper with evidence. His sentencing took place on June 30 in New Mexico, following his guilty plea related to firearms possession as an undocumented immigrant. Ortega Lopez, who entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023, was found to have posted videos on social media showing him with firearms. The case is part of a larger investigation involving members of the Cano family, with ongoing legal proceedings against them for related charges. Ortega Lopez will face deportation proceedings while serving his sentence.

Key Details: • Sentenced on June 30, 2023, in U.S. District Court, New Mexico. • Ortega Lopez illegally entered the U.S. on December 15, 2023. • He faces deportation proceedings during his 19-month prison term. • Related investigations continue involving Nancy and Jose Cano. • Ortega Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms or reentering the U.S. without authorization.

immigration crime firearms tren-de-aragua evidence-tampering

People & Organizations

Immigration and Customs EnforcementLas CrucesDoña Ana CountyFederal Bureau of PrisonsHomeland Security InvestigationsCristhian Adrian Ortega LopezApril CanoJose CanoNancy Cano

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