FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge for Alleged Obstruction of Immigration Arrest

MILWAUKEE, WI — The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, April 25, 2025, on charges of obstruction related to her alleged interference with a federal immigration arrest. The arrest, announced by FBI Director Kash Patel, has sparked intense debate about judicial conduct and immigration enforcement.

According to Patel, Judge Dugan is accused of intentionally misdirecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to prevent the apprehension of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, in her courthouse last week. “We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” Patel stated on X, adding that the judge’s actions created “increased danger to the public.” ICE agents ultimately apprehended Flores Ruiz after a foot chase, but the incident prompted a swift federal response. [Newsweek, April 25, 2025]

The allegations stem from an incident on Friday, April 18, when ICE agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to detain Flores Ruiz, who was appearing in Dugan’s courtroom for a misdemeanor case. A law enforcement source reported that Dugan allegedly shielded the defendant, possibly allowing him to hide in her jury room, which is typically off-limits to non-judicial personnel. The agents presented their warrant to Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who directed them back to Dugan’s courtroom, where the situation escalated. [Wisconsin Right Now, April 22, 2025]

Dugan, a nine-year veteran of the Milwaukee bench, has been under FBI investigation since the incident, which marked the third ICE-related arrest at the courthouse in recent months. The probe intensified after reports surfaced that Dugan’s actions may have violated federal law by obstructing justice. “In all my years of Milwaukee politics and public safety issues, I have never seen a more irresponsible act by an officer of the court, if true,” said state Rep. Bob Donovan, a former Milwaukee alderman, in a statement calling for a thorough investigation. [jsonline.com, April 22, 2025]

The case has drawn comparisons to a 2018 incident involving Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph, who faced charges—later dropped—for allegedly helping an undocumented defendant evade ICE by allowing him to leave through a rear courthouse door. Those charges were dismissed after Joseph agreed to refer herself to a state judicial misconduct agency. [Reuters, December 3, 2024]

Dugan, elected to the bench in 2016 after a career in civil litigation and legal aid, remains active in her judicial duties, with a full docket scheduled this week, according to online court records. Neither Dugan nor her courtroom staff responded to requests for comment, and the FBI has declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigation. [WISN, April 23, 2025]

The arrest comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has repealed policies limiting ICE arrests in sensitive locations like courthouses. Critics, including Milwaukee County Judge Marisabel Cabrera, have raised concerns about ICE’s tactics, with Cabrera arguing that accepting ICE warrants without scrutiny could facilitate overreach. “The protocol seems to merely facilitate ICE arrests in a manner that is quiet and least disruptive to us,” Cabrera wrote in an email to colleagues, according to reports. [Wisconsin Examiner, April 24, 2025]

Legal experts note that obstruction charges against a sitting judge are rare and could have significant implications for judicial independence and immigration policy. The case is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the role of local courts in federal immigration enforcement. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on Milwaukee, where the clash between judicial authority and federal law enforcement has taken center stage.

This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the FBI and federal prosecutors provide additional information.

17GEN4.com