Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges accusing her of obstructing immigration enforcement activities. The allegations revolve around an April 18 incident where Dugan reportedly aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a noncitizen without legal status, in evading arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Prosecutors allege Judge Dugan facilitated Flores-Ruiz’s exit from her courtroom through a nonstandard route to avoid apprehension.
The federal charges against Judge Dugan include concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction of justice. If convicted, she could face up to six years in federal prison. The arraignment occurred in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, with Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries presiding. A trial date has been set for July 21, with an expected duration of one week.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that Dugan’s actions allegedly “misdirected” federal law enforcement and increased potential risks to public safety. Despite Flores-Ruiz’s controversial exit, ICE detained him subsequently at another location.
In a recent court filing, Judge Dugan’s defense claimed immunity from prosecution, arguing her actions were within her judicial role and highlighted potential federal overreach infringing upon Wisconsin’s judicial independence. No comments were made to the media by either party following the hearing.
For more details, the full article can be found on the JURIST website here.