In a stunning turn of events, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan’s criminal complaint was unveiled this past Friday, revealing a series of actions leading to her arrest and subsequent felony charges. (For those eager to dive into the details, the full criminal complaint can be found here.)
Last week, Judge Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI for allegedly obstructing an immigration enforcement operation. According to the FBI’s report, the judge became incensed upon discovering that ICE agents were poised outside her courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant tangled in a domestic abuse case she was presiding over. In an apparent act of defiance, Dugan allegedly instructed Flores-Ruiz to exit the courthouse via a private jury door to evade capture.
FBI Director Kash Patel characterized Judge Dugan’s actions as a deliberate attempt to mislead federal agents, stating that she “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested at her courthouse.”
In a colorful recounting of the incident, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described how the judge confronted immigration officers, visibly agitated and shaking with anger. According to Bondi, Dugan vocally expressed her frustration, sending the officers to speak with the chief judge while she whisked the defendant and his attorney into her chambers and out through a clandestine exit.
WATCH:
.@AGPamBondi describes the shocking interference by a Wisconsin judge in an ICE arrest of an illegal immigrant:
“The judge learned that ICE was outside … She goes out in the hallway, screams at the immigration officers — she’s furious, visibly shaking, upset — sends them off… pic.twitter.com/qzmA6c4Uar
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 25, 2025
The criminal complaint meticulously outlines how Judge Dugan’s behavior escalated to intimidation of federal agents, effectively aiding the illegal immigrant in his bid to avoid arrest.
As per the complaint, a team of six ICE ERO Task Force officers arrived at the courthouse with the intention of conducting the arrest “in as low-key and safe a manner as possible.” The courtroom deputy informed the agents that they were expected to wait outside until after Flores-Ruiz’s hearing. However, the situation escalated quickly when Dugan became aware of their presence.
“Judge DUGAN became visibly angry, commented that the situation was ‘absurd,’ left the bench, and entered chambers. At the time, Flores-Ruiz was seated in the gallery of the courtroom,” the complaint detailed.
In a dramatic display, Judge Dugan demanded to see a judicial warrant and insisted that the arrest team communicate with the Chief Judge. Witnesses reported her demeanor as confrontational and agitated, indicating she was perhaps more invested in the defendant’s escape than the integrity of the legal process.
The courtroom deputy noted that Dugan was keen on expediting Flores-Ruiz’s hearing, seemingly to facilitate his quick exit from the building. Ultimately, she adjourned the hearing, allowing her to escort him through a “jury door” to avoid detection.
“The courtroom deputy then saw Judge DUGAN get up and heard Judge DUGAN say something like ‘Wait, come with me.’ Despite having been informed of the administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores-Ruiz, Judge DUGAN then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel out of the courtroom through the ‘jury door,’” the complaint stated.
In a further twist, Dugan also instructed Flores-Ruiz’s attorneys to leave through the back door, ensuring that the escape was swift and undetected.
A Victim Witness Specialist expressed concern, noting that Judge Dugan had exited through the jury door with Flores-Ruiz while the victims waited for their case to be heard.
Ultimately, Flores-Ruiz was apprehended following a foot chase, although the situation could have unfolded far more peacefully had Judge Dugan allowed ICE agents to carry out their duties without obstruction.
The Department of Justice has now charged Judge Dugan with “obstruction of proceedings before a department or agency of the United States,” which carries a maximum penalty of five years, along with “concealing a person to prevent arrest,” which could add another year to her sentence.
