Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Allegedly Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape from ICE Custody

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. The indictment stems from an incident on April 18, 2025, where Judge Dugan allegedly assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, in evading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents present at the courthouse.

According to court documents, Flores-Ruiz was appearing before Judge Dugan on misdemeanor domestic abuse charges. Upon learning of ICE agents waiting to detain him, Judge Dugan reportedly led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a private exit reserved for court personnel. Flores-Ruiz, who had previously been deported in 2013 and re-entered the U.S. illegally, was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.

Judge Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court since 2016, was arrested by the FBI on April 25, 2025. Following her arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended her from the bench to maintain public trust in the judiciary. A reserve judge has been appointed to assume her duties temporarily.

Her attorneys have stated that Judge Dugan maintains her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court. She is scheduled to enter a plea on Thursday.

The case has intensified debates over immigration enforcement in courthouses, with critics arguing that such actions deter public access to justice and strain state-federal relations.

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