BlogHear.com | 13 May 2025
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — Hannah Dugan, a judge in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, has been charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to avoid arrest after allegedly aiding a Mexican fugitive in evading immigration agents. The charges, approved by a federal grand jury, come after Dugan allegedly assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man wanted by authorities for immigration violations, to escape through a back door during an arrest attempt at the courthouse.
The charges against Dugan have raised significant controversy, particularly as the case plays out against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s strong stance on immigration enforcement. The incident has sparked criticism from Democrats, who have accused the administration of undermining the judicial system and politicizing law enforcement.
Details of the Incident
The events leading to the charges occurred on 18 April 2025, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had previously been deported from the U.S. in 2013, was scheduled for a court hearing on misdemeanor battery charges. On that day, six law enforcement officers from the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were present at the courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz.
According to an FBI affidavit, Judge Dugan became “visibly angry” upon learning that Flores-Ruiz was to be arrested during his court appearance. The affidavit states that Dugan called the situation “absurd” and exited the bench before entering a courtroom chamber to argue with officers over the type of arrest warrant that had been issued.
In the course of the confrontation, the judge allegedly directed the officers to report to the chief judge while she escorted Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to a side door reserved for jury members. However, the pair were spotted by two immigration agents, and Flores-Ruiz was seen leaving the courthouse. He was later arrested after a short foot chase, just moments after escaping through the back exit.
Legal Charges and Potential Penalties
Dugan has been charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to avoid arrest, both of which are serious federal offenses. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
At the time of her arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel accused Dugan of intentionally misdirecting immigration agents, thereby creating an “increased danger to the public” by allowing Flores-Ruiz to evade capture for a short period.
Court and Professional Repercussions
In the aftermath of the charges, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court suspended Judge Dugan from her position in late April. The court emphasized the necessity of the suspension to “preserve public confidence in the judiciary.”
Dugan has been released on her own recognizance, pending a court hearing on Thursday, where she is expected to enter her plea.
Tensions Over Immigration Policy
The case comes amid heightened tensions over immigration policy in the U.S. under the Trump administration. The administration has made significant efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, and this incident involving a judge allegedly helping a fugitive has led to further polarization in political discourse.
This case is also part of a broader pattern of judicial and law enforcement interactions in the U.S. surrounding immigration matters. Just the day before Dugan’s arrest, a former judge in New Mexico was arrested for allegedly harboring a Venezuelan gang member at his home.
What Happens Next?
As Judge Dugan prepares for her hearing, legal analysts are watching closely to see how this case could influence both judicial independence and immigration enforcement moving forward. Dugan maintains her innocence, with her defense lawyers asserting that she looks forward to being vindicated in court.
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