A federal jury in Milwaukee has convicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan of a felony obstruction charge for interfering with immigration enforcement actions by helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal agents, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to AP News.
The jury found Dugan guilty of obstructing federal agents, but acquitted her on a separate misdemeanor count alleging she concealed a person to prevent arrest. The decision followed a trial that lasted several days in federal court in Wisconsin.
The case arose from an April 18 incident in which Judge Dugan was presiding over a courtroom when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents waited outside intending to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had appeared on misdemeanor charges. According to prosecutors, Dugan confronted the agents in the courthouse hallway, questioned the validity of their warrant, directed them to speak with the chief judge’s office, and then allowed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a nonpublic door, effectively delaying the arrest.
Federal prosecutors argued this conduct obstructed a federal proceeding, presenting evidence that Dugan misled the agents and created an alternative route for the defendant to leave the courthouse. Defense attorneys contended that Dugan acted in accordance with courthouse policy and without intent to obstruct.
Flores-Ruiz was apprehended shortly after outside the courthouse and subsequently deported. He had been previously deported from the United States in 2013.
Hannah Dugan, who was elected to the bench in 2016 and suspended from her judicial duties earlier in 2025, now faces potential sentencing that could include prison time under federal law. No date has yet been set for sentencing.
Earlier we wrote that Federal trial begins for Milwaukee judge accused of helping undocumented man evade arrest.
