Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13 following allegations that she obstructed a federal immigration enforcement operation by assisting an illegal immigrant in avoiding arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the indictment came after a full-day grand jury hearing.
Judge Dugan, 66, now faces charges of obstructing a federal agency and concealing a person to prevent an arrest.
The indictment, which spans two pages, outlines the case and carries a potential sentence of up to six years in prison and fines totaling $350,000.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has been assigned to oversee the proceedings.
A total of 20 jurors served on the grand jury, with at least 12 votes required to approve the indictment.
The exact vote count was not disclosed, consistent with grand jury procedure.
Judge Dugan was taken into federal custody on April 25 by FBI agents.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying, “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. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest.”
The incident under investigation occurred during a court proceeding in Dugan’s courtroom involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz.
At the time, Flores-Ruiz was facing multiple misdemeanor battery charges. ICE agents arrived at the courthouse with the intention of taking him into custody.
Federal authorities allege that Dugan helped Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exit the courthouse through an alternate route, thereby avoiding federal agents positioned to make the arrest.
Following her arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an administrative order placing Dugan on temporary suspension from the bench.
The court stated, “In the exercise of that constitutional authority and in order to uphold the public confidence in the court of this state during the pendency of the criminal proceeding against Judge Dugan, we conclude on our own motion that it is the public interest that she be temporarily be relieved of her official duty.”
The arrest and indictment of Dugan have drawn national attention and sparked backlash among some activist groups.
On April 26, approximately 100 protesters gathered outside a federal courthouse in Milwaukee to voice opposition to the charges against her.
Demonstrators held signs and delivered speeches in support of Dugan and against ICE enforcement actions at courthouses.
Dugan has not publicly commented on the indictment. Her legal team is expected to enter a plea and respond to the charges at an upcoming court appearance.
A date for the next hearing has not yet been set.
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz’s current location and immigration status have not been disclosed by federal authorities.
His original charges in Wisconsin remain active in the state’s judicial system.
As proceedings move forward, Dugan’s case marks a rare instance of a sitting judge facing federal criminal charges related to immigration enforcement.
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