Milwaukee Judge Faces Federal Charges for Aiding Immigrant's Escape from ICE Custody

 

Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court has been indicted by a federal grand jury and now faces up to six years in prison on charges that she helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal immigration authorities. The indictment, handed down Tuesday, accuses Dugan of concealing a person from arrest and obstructing justice under federal statutes 18 U.S.C. Section 1071 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1505.

 

Dugan, who was arrested by FBI agents in April, is alleged to have knowingly assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national, in avoiding detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Flores-Ruiz was appearing in Dugan’s courtroom on three misdemeanor battery charges at the time. According to the federal indictment, Dugan told ICE officers they required a warrant to enter her courtroom and directed them to the chief judge’s office. The indictment further alleges that she then personally escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courthouse through a side exit, effectively helping him evade arrest.

 

The charges have triggered a heated legal and political battle. Dugan’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, arguing that the judge was acting within her official capacity and is entitled to judicial immunity. “The government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts,” her attorneys stated. “The government has no basis in law to prosecute her.”

 

If convicted on both counts, Dugan could face a maximum sentence of six years behind bars and fines totaling up to $350,000. She is expected to appear in court Thursday, where she will enter a plea of not guilty. “Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge,” her legal team said in a statement Tuesday. “She asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court.”

 

Dugan’s arrest has drawn national attention and ignited fierce criticism from officials aligned with the Trump administration, which has taken a hardline stance on immigration enforcement. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem weighed in Tuesday night, saying, “She will be held accountable for that. That was a great decision, coming forward, to recognize that nobody can facilitate breaking the law. We shouldn’t be able to allow that in this country, and we need to make sure that even judges are held accountable for their actions.”

 

At the same time, the case has drawn support for Dugan from prominent members of the legal community. Her defense team includes former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a high-profile litigator who has argued over 100 cases before the Supreme Court and was once on Donald Trump’s shortlist for the Supreme Court. Clement joins a formidable legal lineup that includes Steve Biskupic, a former U.S. Attorney appointed by President George W. Bush, as well as Craig Mastantuono of Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas, and Jason Luczak and Nicole Masnica of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown.

 

With the case heading to court and political tempers flaring, the legal proceedings promise to be as much a referendum on the boundaries of judicial discretion as on the broader national debate over immigration enforcement.

 

 

Related Topic: 

Wisconsin Judge Faces Federal Charges After Allegedly Aiding Immigration Suspect

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP  2025-05-16

 

 

Great ! Hopefully she gets convicted too .

 

Excellent; what she did was wilful, arrogant, and wrong, and against the interests of law abiding US citizens; and although I doubt if she will be convicted, she will think very carefully before any such future action

 

 

 

 

Thank you judge, for letting a violent 'illegal immigrant', nutter back out on the streets ... 🤬

 

... "Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the 30-year-old Mexican national and undocumented immigrant, reportedly hit a person 30 times after being asked to turn down loud music. Then, he was brought to court to appear in a trial in Milwaukee County Circuit before the courtroom of Judge Hannah Dugan on April 18 for a pre-trial conference." ... 

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/who-is-eduardo-flores-ruiz-mexican-immigrant-judge-hannah-dugan-is-accused-of-helping-101745605011312.html

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

She is expected to appear in court Thursday, where she will enter a plea of not guilty.

 

While I doubt she will be found guilty, I sincerely hope she is, in order to deter other such lefty extremist activist judges to think they are above the law. 

 

 

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The indictment further alleges that she then personally escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courthouse through a side exit, effectively helping him evade arrest.

That must have been an epic quickie in the judge's chambers... 

She has Judicial  Immunity.Its her court and she is in charge and responsible for all persons in it.

ICE are making fools of themselves and so is Bondi and her clown show!

58 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

She has Judicial  Immunity.Its her court and she is in charge and responsible for all persons in it.

ICE are making fools of themselves and so is Bondi and her clown show!

Inside of the courthouse yes, but outside of the doors no

7 minutes ago, flexomike said:

Inside of the courthouse yes, but outside of the doors no

Inside the court room where the proceedings took place! Outside the court room in a public space is where 

the arresting officers wanted to take

custody of Ruiz.

Bullet point #10 in the transcript.

 

Outside the court room in the hall, the judge went out of her venue(court room) into the hall and directed the waiting officers to go see the chief justice in another location. Bullet point #23.

 

Transcripts of the criminal complaint:
 

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2025/04/complaintuscourtswied11162910.pdf

 

I too think that she will get off because 

the Wisconsin area where she’s from thinks she’s a hero.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/public-investigator/2025/01/15/is-milwaukee-a-sanctuary-city-or-wisconsin-a-sanctuary-state/77580946007/#

 

1 hour ago, Paul Henry said:

She has Judicial  Immunity.Its her court and she is in charge and responsible for all persons in it.

No she doesnt and you couldnt show a case that supports her claim.

 

 

1 hour ago, Paul Henry said:

She has Judicial  Immunity.Its her court and she is in charge and responsible for all persons in it.

ICE are making fools of themselves and so is Bondi and her clown show!

She has helped a violent illegal immigrant. Not a great look for someone in her position.

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

She has helped a violent illegal immigrant. Not a great look for someone in her position.

I agree with you!

But this is what Democracy looks like to  American Judges who sympathize with the left’s humanitarian efforts!

Its disgusting!

Whether she gets convicted (she should) or not, that's one ugly broad.

13 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

While I doubt she will be found guilty, I sincerely hope she is, in order to deter other such lefty extremist activist judges to think they are above the law. 

 

 

Your right.  There are too many Leftist extremist activist judges in power than to Chuckie Schumer.

19 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

That must have been an epic quickie in the judge's chambers... 

Only with a bag over her head.

ICE was way out of line here. Glad there's an indictment now. Nothing will come of it, as it should.

 How odd that an older female judge goes this much out of her way to save a violent wife beater.

 

Sexual attraction?

5 hours ago, stevenl said:

ICE was way out of line here. Glad there's an indictment now. Nothing will come of it, as it should.

How was ICE out of line?

I hope she gets the maximum sentence. Nip this stupidity in the bud. 🤠

On 5/16/2025 at 4:08 AM, Social Media said:

Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court has been indicted by a federal grand jury and now faces up to six years in prison on charges that she helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal immigration authorities. The indictment, handed down Tuesday, accuses Dugan of concealing a person from arrest and obstructing justice under federal statutes 18 U.S.C. Section 1071 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1505.

Don't you know who I am?  I'm special.  I'm privileged.  I'm I'm I'm immune to prosecution. 

18 minutes ago, mrwebb8825 said:

I hope she gets the maximum sentence. Nip this stupidity in the bud. 🤠

Ditto!

An off topic post has been removed.

It’s always “no one is above the law”, until it’s a leftist breaks a law to defy Trump, then they are a hero.

12 hours ago, stevenl said:

ICE was way out of line here. Glad there's an indictment now. Nothing will come of it, as it should.

I disagree, if they had a warrant to arrest this person then they were in their legal rights to pick him up where they find him. They gave the Judge the coutesy of waiting outside the courtroom. The Judge, knowing the laws, violated the warrant and legal process by aiding him to escape. She of all people know the laws. You can not harbor or aid to a person wanted with a warrant knowingly. Unfortunately, the Dems twisted this into more than her violation of the laws and are using it politically. She has their support which is vast as well. It will be a fight for sure inside the courtroom when her case is heard. But, putting all aside, she should not be allowed to judge people anymore and pass judgement on them. She deserves her fate is convicted and should be sentenced. 

Does undocumented mean illegal?

So basically she helped a criminal?

On 5/16/2025 at 10:36 AM, KhunLA said:

Thank you judge, for letting a violent 'illegal immigrant', nutter back out on the streets ... 🤬

 

... "Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the 30-year-old Mexican national and undocumented immigrant, reportedly hit a person 30 times after being asked to turn down loud music. Then, he was brought to court to appear in a trial in Milwaukee County Circuit before the courtroom of Judge Hannah Dugan on April 18 for a pre-trial conference." ... 

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/who-is-eduardo-flores-ruiz-mexican-immigrant-judge-hannah-dugan-is-accused-of-helping-101745605011312.html

undocumented immigrant = illegal immigrant right?

6 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Does undocumented mean illegal?

So basically she helped a criminal?

 

Undocumented is code for illegal.    It went from illegal alien —> Undocumented —> migrant.  

38 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

undocumented immigrant = illegal immigrant right?

correct, and exactly how Ms Google defines it also ...

 

... "In the context of immigration, "undocumented immigrant" and "illegal alien" are essentially used interchangeably to describe individuals who are not legally authorized to reside in the United States. 

 

Undocumented Immigrant:  This term refers to individuals living in the U.S. without valid visas or immigration documents, meaning they lack legal immigration status" ...

 

They are criminals.  As soon as the cross the border without going through normal check point, they are criminals.  They may get deported immediately, or released with a court date, to have their case heard.

 

Don't show up for that court date and a warrant is issued for your arrest.  Or in this case, commit a crime and don't show for that court date (jump bail) and a warrant is issued, and or deportation order.

58 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

undocumented immigrant = illegal immigrant right?

undocumented immigrant

Let me try so you understand.
You have a sailboat and you're sailing the oceans.  You dock somewhere in Thailand and decide this is a great place and you decide to start working and living here.  And of course, why shouldn't you be allowed to live in Thailand - you're a "world citizen."

Thai Immigration eventually discovers you and busts you for entering Thailand illegally without a visa, as well as living and working here.
You are an "undocumented immigrant."  So what the heck do you think your legal status is at that point?

11 hours ago, thesetat said:

I disagree, if they had a warrant to arrest this person then they were in their legal rights to pick him up where they find him. They gave the Judge the coutesy of waiting outside the courtroom. The Judge, knowing the laws, violated the warrant and legal process by aiding him to escape. She of all people know the laws. You can not harbor or aid to a person wanted with a warrant knowingly. Unfortunately, the Dems twisted this into more than her violation of the laws and are using it politically. She has their support which is vast as well. It will be a fight for sure inside the courtroom when her case is heard. But, putting all aside, she should not be allowed to judge people anymore and pass judgement on them. She deserves her fate is convicted and should be sentenced. 

Ice was not in possession of a judicial warrant, so they were not allowed in the courtroom. Nothing at all to do with courtesy.

The accused walked away via the hallway, the same hallway where the agents were waiting.

 

This whole charade is an attempt to influence the judicial.