Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been arrested for allegedly obstructing federal immigration agents attempting to arrest an undocumented immigrant. The FBI charges her with intentionally misleading agents and facilitating the man's escape. Dugan faces significant prison time if convicted, with her arrest prompting varied reactions from politicians across party lines.
Wisconsin Judge Arrested for Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Agents
Wisconsin Judge Arrested for Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Agents
A Milwaukee County Circuit Judge faces charges of obstruction and concealing an undocumented immigrant, sparking a polarized response from political leaders.
In a dramatic turn of events, law enforcement officials arrested Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge, on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to evade arrest. The charges stem from allegations that Dugan intentionally misdirected federal immigration agents while they sought to apprehend a Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was facing legal proceedings for misdemeanor battery.
Federal officials, including FBI director Kash Patel, accused Dugan of creating a risky situation by interfering with immigration agents' efforts to take Flores-Ruiz into custody. The justice department revealed that Flores-Ruiz had a prior deportation in 2013 and was under a warrant issued by an immigration judge. However, as agents arrived at the courthouse, Dugan reportedly expressed anger at their presence and led the immigration agents away from the scene before facilitating Flores-Ruiz's escape through a side door.
Her lawyer stated that Dugan "wholeheartedly regrets" her actions and maintains the arrest was unwarranted. She has been released on her own recognizance, awaiting a court hearing scheduled for May 15. If convicted, Dugan could face a maximum of six years in prison for the obstruction charges and up to one year for concealment.
The case has stirred mixed reactions from political leaders. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin characterized the arrest as a severe attack on the judicial system, while Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson condemned the action as "showboating." In contrast, Republican Senator Ron Johnson advised cooperation with federal law enforcement to avoid danger to the public.
Dugan, first elected to the bench in 2016 and re-elected in 2022, is under scrutiny not only for her actions but also for the broader implications surrounding judicial conduct. The fallout from her arrest has raised concerns about the rule of law and the interactions between judicial authority and immigration enforcement, echoing similar incidents involving judges across the United States in previous years.
