A federal jury in Milwaukee has convicted nine-year veteran Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan of felony obstruction for aiding an illegal immigrant’s escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents inside her own courthouse.
Dugan faces up to five years in prison after deliberately assisting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who illegally re-entered the United States in 2013, during a federal arrest attempt on April 18. According to court records, Dugan moved Flores-Ruiz’s case to the front of her docket and personally escorted him and his attorney through a non-public back entrance reserved for judges and staff—allowing him to evade ICE agents. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended during a brief foot chase outside and deported to Mexico.
The prosecution highlighted Dugan’s own recorded statement to her court reporter: “I’ll get the heat.” Audio evidence confirmed she knowingly facilitated the evasion of federal immigration enforcement. Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel emphasized that courthouses are among the safest locations for lawful arrests, noting Dugan’s interference forced a wanted individual onto public streets.
Dugan’s conviction carries immediate consequences under Wisconsin law: she is prohibited from holding any public office and continues to receive her $175,000 annual salary while suspended since April. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court will now determine whether to terminate her payments following the ruling. Her defense team previously noted a jury acquitted her on a lesser misdemeanor charge but conceded the felony conviction stands after twelve jurors deliberated for six hours.
This case marks the first instance of a state judge prosecuted for obstructing federal immigration enforcement. Dugan’s actions represent a fundamental breach of judicial duty, directly contradicting the oath she swore to uphold the law impartially.
