Immigration Law
Judge found guilty of helping immigrant escape federal agents
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan (far left) leaves the federal courthouse after a hearing in Milwaukee on May 15, 2025. (Photo by Andy Manis/The Associated Press)
A Wisconsin judge who helped a Mexican immigrant evade federal agents was found guilty of obstruction Thursday.
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan now faces up to five years in prison, the Associated Press reports. Federal prosecutors had also charged Dugan with concealing an individual to prevent arrest, but the jury acquitted her on that count.
Dugan learned in April that immigration officials had come to the Milwaukee County Courthouse to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had entered the country illegally and was scheduled to appear before her in a state battery case, according to court filings cited by the Associated Press. Dugan told the officials that they couldn’t arrest Flores-Ruiz with an administrative warrant and directed them to the chief judge’s office.
Dugan then addressed Flores-Ruiz’s case off the record and led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a private jury door, the Associated Press reports. Agents followed Flores-Ruiz outside, where they arrested him after a foot chase. He was later deported.
Steve Biskupic, Dugan’s lead attorney, expressed disappointment in the decision and said he didn’t understand how Dugan was found guilty of one charge but acquitted in the other, according to the Associated Press.
After the verdict, U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said the case wasn’t political, and that it isn’t unfair for people who are wanted to be arrested in courthouses, the Associated Press also reports.
See also:
Prosecutor says judge knew she would get ‘heat’ for aiding immigrant
Wisconsin judge suspended over charges she helped migrant evade arrest
Wisconsin judge arrested by FBI, charged with obstructing immigrant arrest
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