MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has been federally indicted following allegations that she obstructed federal agents and helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest. The indictment was issued Tuesday by a federal grand jury after reviewing testimony and evidence from multiple witnesses.
Judge Dugan was arrested on April 25 and charged with:
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Felony obstruction of a federal agency
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Concealment of an individual to prevent discovery and arrest (a misdemeanor)
She is accused of assisting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported illegal immigrant, by allegedly helping him avoid apprehension by ICE agents following his court appearance on April 18. Flores-Ruiz was facing three misdemeanor battery charges related to a violent assault against two individuals.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to a criminal complaint, Judge Dugan took steps to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from arresting Flores-Ruiz after his court hearing. Agents from ICE, the FBI, CBP, and DEA were present at the courthouse, prepared to detain him.
Instead of allowing the arrest to proceed in a public area, Dugan allegedly instructed federal agents to report to the chief judge’s office, then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of a private jury room exit, avoiding the area where law enforcement officers were waiting.
The actions led to charges of interfering with federal law enforcement efforts and allegedly concealing a criminal defendant with knowledge of his immigration status.
Grand Jury Indictment and Witness Testimony
The federal grand jury heard key witness testimony, including from:
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Flores-Ruiz’s former attorney, who has since withdrawn from the case
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Dugan’s courtroom clerk
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Milwaukee County Judge Kristela Cervera, whose courtroom is adjacent to Dugan’s
These testimonies helped federal prosecutors determine sufficient grounds to indict Dugan ahead of her May 15 federal court appearance, where she is expected to enter a plea.
Public and Legal Reactions
Judge Dugan’s attorneys have denied any wrongdoing, stating she “asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court.” Her legal representative, Craig Mastantuono, added, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”
The federal government has taken a firm stance. Department of Homeland Security advisor Kristi Noem commented on Fox News:
“Nobody can facilitate breaking the law… even judges must be held accountable.”
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned Dugan’s actions, saying:
“You cannot obstruct a criminal case. It was a domestic violence case, and she protected a criminal defendant over the victims.”
Bondi detailed the alleged assault, stating that Flores-Ruiz violently attacked a man and a woman, causing injuries severe enough to require hospitalization.
