American Judge in Trouble for Helping Fugitive Escape Immigration Officers

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is embroiled in a federal legal battle after being charged with obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. 

The charges stem from an incident on April 18, in which Dugan allegedly aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man wanted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in evading federal agents at the Milwaukee courthouse. Dugan was arrested by the FBI on April 25 and is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court this morning. If convicted, she faces a potential prison sentence of up to six years.

Flores-Ruiz, who had been previously deported in 2013, was appearing before Judge Dugan for a hearing related to three misdemeanour domestic abuse charges. According to court documents, a courthouse clerk informed Dugan that ICE agents were present to apprehend Flores-Ruiz. Witnesses described Dugan as visibly frustrated and calling the situation “absurd.” Prosecutors allege that Dugan and another judge confronted ICE agents in the courthouse hallway, engaging in a heated discussion regarding the warrant for Flores-Ruiz. 

Dugan allegedly demanded that the agents consult with the chief judge before proceeding, leading them away from her courtroom. Subsequently, she is accused of directing Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted doorway typically used by court personnel, deputies, and jurors. Federal agents apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a foot chase. Dugan’s attorneys filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges, asserting that she was acting in her official capacity as a judge and is therefore immune from prosecution. 

The defence further contends that the federal government's intervention disrupted the state judicial process and violated Wisconsin’s sovereignty. Dugan’s arraignment is expected to be a procedural step where she will likely enter a not-guilty plea, allowing her legal team time to investigate the charges and prepare a defence. The case has drawn comparisons to a similar incident during former President Donald Trump’s administration, where a Massachusetts judge was accused of allowing a defendant to evade ICE agents through a back door in the courthouse. 

Observers say Dugan’s prosecution underscores the ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials who oppose aggressive enforcement tactics. The legal community is closely watching the case. John Vaudreuil, a former federal prosecutor in Wisconsin, suggests that the high-profile nature of the case indicates direct involvement from top officials at the US Department of Justice. 

He speculates that either US Attorney General Pam Bondi or Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is overseeing the legal strategy, making it unlikely that prosecutors will reduce the charges in a plea deal. Dugan's suspension by the Wisconsin Supreme Court adds a further layer of complexity, as the state judiciary seeks to preserve public confidence in its impartiality. While her attorneys are expected to push for a jury trial, legal analysts suggest that public sentiment regarding immigration enforcement could play a significant role in shaping the outcome.