Trial begins for Wisconsin judge over ICE clash
The federal trial opened Monday for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who is accused of obstructing ICE by helping Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz evade agents during a courthouse encounter — prosecutors say she directed him through a private door, told agents she would “take the heat,” and plan to call roughly two dozen witnesses with opening statements expected to run through at least Thursday. Dugan’s defense says she followed a draft courthouse policy and referred agents to Chief Judge Carl Ashley, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied her motion to dismiss, and if convicted she faces up to six years in prison while Flores‑Ruiz has since pleaded no contest to a state charge and been deported.
📌 Key Facts
- Opening statements were scheduled for Monday; prosecutors said the government expects to present its case through at least Thursday and plan to call roughly two dozen witnesses.
- Dugan faces federal charges including an obstruction count (maximum five years); prosecutors say her total exposure could be up to six years if convicted on both counts.
- Prosecutors allege Judge Hannah Dugan directed Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz through a private/back corridor while ICE agents were present, told agents she would “take the heat,” and presented video testimony (FBI Agent Erin Lucker) showing Dugan signaling agents to see Chief Judge Carl Ashley and guiding Flores‑Ruiz through courthouse back corridors.
- The defense says Dugan was following courthouse policy — citing a draft policy circulated by Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley restricting administrative immigration arrests in nonpublic courthouse areas — and argues she sent agents to consult Ashley while ICE chose not to arrest Flores‑Ruiz at the doorway and instead followed him outside.
- U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied Dugan’s September motion to dismiss, ruling there is no established criminal immunity for judges.
- DHS has deported Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz after he pleaded no contest to a state battery charge and was sentenced to time served.
- Dugan and her family have reported threatening flyers at family homes and political pressure surrounding the case, including a “lock her up” tweet by Rep. Tom Tiffany.
📰 Sources (3)
Trial begins for Wisconsin judge charged with helping man evade immigration agents
New information:
- Prosecutor Keith Alexander told jurors Judge Hannah Dugan said she would "take the heat" and directed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz through a private door while ICE agents were present.
- FBI Agent Erin Lucker was the first government witness and walked jurors through video of courthouse back corridors, showing Dugan signaling agents to see Chief Judge Carl Ashley.
- Defense attorney Steven Biskupic argued Dugan followed courthouse policy by sending agents to Ashley and that ICE agents chose not to arrest Flores-Ruiz at the doorway, instead following him outside.
- The article specifies the back door led to a public corridor and that Dugan told ICE to consult the chief judge before any arrest attempts in the courthouse.
- Maximum sentence for the obstruction count is five years (the article reiterates Flores-Ruiz has since been deported after a plea in his state case).
Trial set to begin for Wisconsin judge accused of helping immigrant evade federal authorities
New information:
- Opening statements scheduled Monday; the government expects to present its case through at least Thursday.
- Prosecution plans to call roughly two dozen witnesses; defense timing not yet disclosed.
- Maximum exposure reiterated: up to six years in prison if convicted on both counts.
- U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied Dugan’s motion to dismiss in September, ruling there is no established criminal immunity for judges.
- DHS has deported Eduardo Flores-Ruiz after he pleaded no contest to the state battery charge and was sentenced to time served.
- Defense cites a draft policy circulated by Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley restricting administrative immigration arrests in nonpublic courthouse areas.
- Dugan reported threatening flyers at family homes; article notes political pressure including a 'lock her up' tweet by Rep. Tom Tiffany.