EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- The Venezuelan man and suspected Tren de Aragua member, who was being housed by a former New Mexico judge and his wife, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiring to destroy evidence after posting photos and videos of himself with weapons on social media.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico made the announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in a news release.

Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, a Venezuelan national, pleaded guilty to alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to tamper with evidence. At sentencing, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Ortega-Lopez illegally entered the United States on December 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings, according to court documents.

Court documents stat

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