Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is facing federal charges after being accused of helping an illegal immigrant avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The indictment, handed down on May 13, alleges that Dugan obstructed justice and concealed a person from arrest during a courtroom incident involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal immigrant facing misdemeanor battery charges.
No one is above the law pic.twitter.com/TSrQ4GNMdA
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 26, 2025
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Dugan has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
A trial is set for July.
If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines.
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According to the federal indictment, plainclothes ICE agents were in the Milwaukee County courthouse to serve an arrest warrant on Flores-Ruiz when Dugan allegedly intervened.
The indictment claims Dugan told the agents they needed a judicial warrant, then referred them to the chief judge’s office.
Instead of proceeding with a scheduled court hearing, Dugan allegedly addressed the matter off the record.
Video footage released last week appears to show Dugan speaking with the ICE agents in a hallway, followed by her allegedly escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the building through a private exit.
Despite the alleged intervention, Flores-Ruiz was later taken into custody.
He is currently facing three misdemeanor battery charges.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to Dugan’s indictment by criticizing judges who they believe have attempted to block immigration enforcement efforts.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement condemning the judge’s actions.
“Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American people’s mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland— but this judge’s actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful,” McLaughlin said.
In response to the indictment, Dugan’s legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the charges, expanding upon an earlier request.
Her attorneys argue that she is protected by judicial immunity for actions taken in her official capacity.
The defense further asserts that the prosecution violates the Tenth Amendment and the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“The indictment itself is an ugly innovation. Its dismissal will not be,” Dugan’s legal team wrote in their memorandum.
Dugan is not accused of accepting bribes or violating anyone’s constitutional rights.
Her attorneys emphasized that judges can be charged for conduct “wholly unrelated” to their judicial duties, but maintain that Dugan’s actions do not meet that standard.
The case has drawn national attention due to its potential implications for judicial independence and the limits of federal authority in immigration enforcement. Dugan remains free pending trial.
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The thinking that someone is above the law is a leftist ideology.
I’m getting tired of being gaslighted. Don’t tell me anything more about this unless you’ve got pictures of her in an orange jumpsuit reporting for a six year sentence in prison.
IF…she is convicted, I hope the court “throws the book” at her.
Maximum fine and jail time.
MKE liberals believe they are untouchable.