Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was charged with two felonies related to her involvement in assisting an undocumented immigrant evade arrest after he appeared in her courtroom.
The allegations are detailed in a 13-page complaint, which states that Dugan, aged 65, is accused of obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to hinder an arrest.
The complaint outlines that Dugan provided assistance to Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant, enabling him to avoid apprehension by federal immigration authorities at the Milwaukee County Courthouse following his pre-trial conference on April 18. Flores-Ruiz is facing three misdemeanor battery charges.
Ultimately, federal agents caught up with Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse and detained him at the intersection of West State Street and 10th Street, as noted in the complaint.
“Hannah C. Dugan has dedicated her career as an attorney and judge to upholding the rule of law and due process,” stated Dugan’s attorney. “Judge Dugan intends to vigorously defend herself and anticipates being cleared of the charges.”
Brief Appearance in Federal Court
On the same day, Dugan made a brief appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries during a crowded hearing at the federal courthouse. Dressed in a black floral dress, she refrained from making any public comments during the session.
During the proceedings, Dries inquired whether the prosecution sought detention, to which they responded negatively, indicating that the charges were not “eligible” for such action.
As the hearing concluded, Dugan’s attorney, Craig Mastantuono, expressed: “Judge Dugan deeply regrets and contests her arrest, asserting it was not made in the interest of public safety.” Dugan is now represented by former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic.
Dugan’s federal court appearance occurred shortly after her arrest at the county courthouse around 8 a.m. on April 25.
Federal prosecutors Kelly Watzka and Keith Alexander did not comment as they exited the courtroom after the brief hearing.
National Reaction to Dugan’s Arrest
The news of Dugan’s arrest sparked national attention. Kash Patel, the FBI Director, tweeted: “Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.” Patel alleged that Dugan had deliberately misled federal agents away from Flores-Ruiz, allowing him to evade capture.
Several Milwaukee County judges confirmed the arrest occurred at the courthouse.
Franklyn Gimbel, a well-known defense attorney and former federal prosecutor in Milwaukee, criticized Dugan’s arrest as “outrageous,” stating that judges should not be treated like ordinary criminals when they have a known residence.
U.S. Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin characterized the arrest as an instance of government overreach by the Trump administration. Mayor Cavalier Johnson condemned the administration’s actions as “ham-handed” and “haphazard,” suggesting it prioritized spectacle over community safety.
Johnson remarked, “If a judge is being arrested in a courthouse, it sends a chilling message to others who might participate in judicial proceedings, not just in Milwaukee but throughout Wisconsin and the United States.”
Republican Senator Ron Johnson advised individuals to cooperate with federal law enforcement and warned against obstructing their efforts.
GOP Representative Tom Tiffany, considering a gubernatorial run in 2026, stated on X: “If you help illegal aliens evade arrest, you will be arrested.” He criticized Democratic Governor Tony Evers for a memo advising state employees on interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
On Friday, protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse chanting, “No justice, no peace. Let the judge be released.” Some held signs that read, “Justice 4 all” and “Judge arrest = Trump guilt,” vowing to return.
Accusations Against Dugan in the Immigration Case
The complaint reveals that federal officials identified Flores-Ruiz, who was scheduled to appear before Dugan, as having been previously deported in 2013. ICE officials secured an arrest warrant on April 17.
The following day, six members of the Milwaukee ICE task force, dressed in plain clothes, arrived at the courthouse around 8 a.m. to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, coordinating with Dugan’s bailiff to wait until after his court appearance to execute the arrest.
A clerk informed Dugan that ICE agents were waiting outside her courtroom.
“Judge DUGAN became visibly upset, described the situation as ‘absurd,’ left the bench, and retreated to chambers,” the complaint details.
Dugan allegedly confronted the arrest team while expressing visible anger and demanded they possess a judicial warrant rather than an administrative one, directing them to report to Chief Judge Carl Ashley’s office.
As this unfolded, the bailiff notified the arrest team, which included ICE, FBI, and DEA officials, that Dugan had expedited Flores-Ruiz’s case. Witnesses reported that Dugan then “forcefully motioned” for Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a side door leading to a private hallway and the public area outside the courtroom.
A DEA agent followed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney into an elevator and subsequently alerted the arrest team. Flores-Ruiz exited the elevator and was confronted by two agents outside the courthouse.
“A foot chase ensued,” the complaint noted. “The agents pursued Flores-Ruiz throughout the courthouse and eventually apprehended him near the intersection of W. State Street and 10th Street. Flores-Ruiz was handcuffed and detained.”
Records indicate that Flores-Ruiz was charged on April 24 with illegal re-entry into the United States.
During a federal court appearance the same day, Flores-Ruiz’s attorney, Marty Pruhs, claimed that a judge had assisted his client, stating that Flores-Ruiz acted on his state attorney’s advice. Minutes from the hearing revealed that Flores-Ruiz had been living in Milwaukee for approximately 12 years and worked as a cook.
Flores-Ruiz is currently in ICE custody at the Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, as per the federal online detainee locator system.
This incident marks at least the third occasion in recent months that federal immigration agents have arrived at the courthouse with arrest warrants. In March and early April, two individuals were arrested by ICE officials within the courthouse.
Records show Dugan managed 25 cases on the morning of April 18, with Flores-Ruiz’s case listed for 8:30 a.m. He does not appear to have any other state or federal offenses.
According to his criminal complaint, Flores-Ruiz faces three counts of misdemeanor battery, which include modifiers for domestic violence that could result in enhanced penalties upon conviction.
The charges stem from a March 12 altercation between two roommates at a residence on the 3900 block of West Vliet Street. The complaint alleges that the fight erupted after Flores-Ruiz was accused of playing music too loudly, leading him to punch another person multiple times and strike a woman who intervened.
Each of the three Class A misdemeanors carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Dugan was elected to Branch 31 of the Circuit Court in 2016, defeating an appointee of Republican Governor Scott Walker. Her current term is set to expire in 2028.
