Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan convicted of obstructing ICE courthouse arrest
A federal jury in Milwaukee convicted County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on one felony count of obstructing immigration agents for allegedly directing defendant Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz through a nonpublic/jury door to avoid ICE officers during a 2023 courthouse arrest attempt, while acquitting her on a misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Dugan, who said she was following a draft courthouse policy and asserted judicial immunity, faces up to five years in prison; Flores‑Ruiz was later arrested after fleeing the courthouse and has since been deported, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from the bench.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- A federal jury convicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on one felony count of obstruction for her role in a 2023 ICE courthouse arrest attempt and acquitted her on a misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
- Prosecutors say Dugan directed defendant Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz and his attorney through a nonpublic/jury door and escorted him into a nonpublic area while ICE agents waited in the hallway; an FBI agent testified and video of courthouse back corridors was entered as evidence.
- Prosecutors introduced courtroom audio and transcripts in which Dugan told her court reporter she would “take the heat” for showing Flores‑Ruiz out a private door; testimony also described her questioning agents about a judicial warrant and telling them to consult Chief Judge Carl Ashley.
- Flores‑Ruiz had been in Dugan’s courtroom on misdemeanor battery charges; he later pleaded no contest to the state charge, was sentenced to time served and subsequently deported. After leaving the nonpublic area he was seen in a hallway, fled the courthouse and was arrested following a foot chase.
- The obstruction conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison; prosecutors presented multiple days of testimony (calling roughly two dozen witnesses) and then rested, while the defense planned to call four witnesses and Dugan did not testify.
- Dugan’s defense says she was acting within her judicial duties and following a draft courthouse policy circulated by Chief Judge Carl Ashley that directed agents to supervisors rather than making administrative immigration arrests in nonpublic courthouse areas; federal courts rejected her claim of judicial immunity before trial.
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from the bench after her arrest and Chief Judge Carl Ashley reassigned her docket to reserve judges as needed.
- Dugan’s legal team expressed disappointment in the verdict, said they will continue to contest the case, and publicly sought donations to a legal defense fund.
đź“Š Relevant Data
The foreign-born population in Wisconsin increased from 280,000 in 2014 to 327,000 in 2024, reflecting significant demographic changes due to immigration.
How many immigrants are in Wisconsin? | USAFacts — USAFacts
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act ended national origins quotas based on race and ethnicity, leading to large-scale immigration from Latin America, including Mexico, which has shaped the current undocumented population in states like Wisconsin.
Fifty Years On, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act Continues to Reshape the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Undocumented immigrants in Wisconsin contribute approximately $240 million in state and local taxes annually, supporting the economy despite their legal status.
Undocumented workers by the numbers: The contributions and economic impact of their presence in Wisconsin — University of Wisconsin School for Workers
Over the past 5 years, Hispanics have experienced a higher rate of Intimate Partner Violence (58%) compared to Blacks (52%) and Whites (37%), with population percentages: Hispanics 19% of US population, Blacks 13.6%, Whites 58.9%.
Domestic Violence - Latinx Task Force — Latinx Task Force
Sanctuary policies, which have no legal definition, refer to state and local restrictions on assisting federal immigration enforcement, including in courthouses, to promote community trust and participation in the justice system.
"Sanctuary" Jurisdictions | Albany Law School — Albany Law School
đź“° Sources (7)
- Details that Flores-Ruiz was in Dugan’s courtroom on misdemeanor battery charges and is a Mexican national who was later deported.
- Specific description of Dugan’s conduct: questioning agents about a judicial warrant, directing them to the chief judge, rushing the case, and allowing the defendant to exit via the jury door.
- Prosecutors’ characterization that Dugan conducted a 'round-up' of agents and created an 'escape route' for Flores-Ruiz, supported by courtroom audio of her saying she would 'take the heat.'
- Defense argument that shifting courthouse immigration-enforcement policy caused confusion and that Flores-Ruiz still ended up in a public hallway, showing she was not concealing him.
- Confirmation that Dugan did not testify and that the jury acquitted her on the misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
- Fox piece reiterates that the jury convicted Judge Hannah Dugan on a single felony obstruction count and acquitted her on a misdemeanor concealing charge.
- It specifies that the obstruction conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
- Adds a fuller quote from Dugan’s defense team emphasizing disappointment in the verdict, their intention to continue contesting the case, and a public call for donations to her legal defense fund.
- A federal jury convicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on one felony count of obstruction related to a 2023 ICE arrest attempt at her courthouse.
- The jury acquitted Dugan on a separate misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
- The CBS/AP account confirms prosecutors’ theory that Dugan directed defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a nonpublic jury door to avoid ICE agents waiting in the hallway.
- An FBI agent’s sworn statement describes Dugan escorting Flores-Ruiz into a nonpublic area and instructing his attorney to use the same exit.
- After leaving the nonpublic area, Flores-Ruiz was later spotted by agents in the hallway, fled the courthouse, and was arrested following a foot chase; he has since been deported.
- Dugan repeatedly argued she was acting within her judicial duties and entitled to judicial immunity, but the court rejected those claims before trial.
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court had already suspended Dugan from the bench in late April following her arrest, and Chief Judge Carl Ashley reassigned her docket to a reserve judge as needed.
- Prosecutors have rested their case against Judge Hannah Dugan after three days of testimony.
- Dugan’s defense plans to call four witnesses beginning Thursday morning; it is unclear whether she will personally testify.
- Closing arguments could begin as early as Thursday afternoon, indicating the trial is nearing conclusion.
- Detailed testimony recap: six‑member immigration task force staked out Dugan’s courtroom on April 18 to arrest Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz after a state battery case hearing.
- Prosecutors introduced audio transcripts from courtroom microphones in which Dugan told her court reporter she would "take the heat" for showing Flores‑Ruiz out a private door.
- Witness Judge Kristela Cervera testified she was uncomfortable supporting Dugan’s confrontation with agents, said judges should not help defendants evade arrest, and recounted Dugan saying she was "in the doghouse" with Chief Judge Carl Ashley because she "tried to help that guy."
- Defense cross‑examination emphasized Dugan’s claim she was following a draft courthouse policy from Chief Judge Ashley to route immigration agents to supervisors and argued agents could have arrested Flores‑Ruiz after he left the courtroom.
- 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).
- 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.