US EditionWisconsin judge found guilty of obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal agents
Jury convicted Judge Hannah Dugan of felony obstruction for directing ICE agents away, allowing a defendant to evade immediate arrest, marking a rare case against a state judge.
- On Dec 18, 2025, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was convicted of one felony obstruction count and acquitted of misdemeanor concealing after a federal jury verdict at 8:38 p.m.
- The case stems from an April 18 courthouse encounter when ICE and other federal immigration agents arrived on the sixth floor seeking Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz, prompting prosecutors to file obstruction charges linked to a U.S. Department of Justice directive to prosecute interference with ICE enforcement.
- Prosecutors showed courtroom audio and hallway surveillance capturing Hannah Dugan escorting Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz through a nonpublic jury door before his street arrest, including a clerk saying `We have 5 ICE guys in the hallway.`
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan and her duties were reassigned, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Chief Judge Carl Ashley said reserve judges will cover her docket, and no sentencing date is set with maximum penalties of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
- The case has become a nationally watched, precedent‑setting dispute over courthouse arrests, with the U.S. Department of Justice framing it as law enforcement, while Dugan's defense team plans motions to dismiss amid national protests.
252 Articles
252 Articles
The jury's decision marks a turning point for a long-time judge in Wisconsin.
A U.S. judge accused of helping a Mexican to evade federal immigration agents was convicted Thursday of obstruction and exposed to a prison sentence, according to U.S. media. The events happened in April in the city of Milwaukee. According to court documents, Judge Hanna Dugan helped Mexican migrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, to escape from the courtroom, where he appeared for a crime, through the door reserved for the members of the jury. Flores-…
Jury: Judge Dugan Guilty of Obstruction for Helping Illegal Alien Flee ICE
A jury has found Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of felony obstruction for helping a violent illegal alien escape from federal agents. ... The post Jury: Judge Dugan Guilty of Obstruction for Helping Illegal Alien Flee ICE appeared first on The New American.
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Advocates raise alarms after Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan found guilty of obstruction
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers raised alarms Friday about judicial independence and said they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
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