Adrian
Federal authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge HANNAH DUGAN on Friday morning, charging her with obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest. The charges stem from allegations that DUGAN hid a previously deported undocumented immigrant in her jury room to shield him from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News.
The incident occurred on April 18, when federal agents from ICE, the FBI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attempted to arrest EDUARDO FLORES-RUIZ, a Mexican national, following his scheduled court appearance before DUGAN. FLORES-RUIZ was facing three misdemeanor battery charges. After the hearing, DUGAN allegedly escorted FLORES-RUIZ and his attorney through a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area where agents were waiting, the complaint states.
FLORES-RUIZ, who had been previously deported and had not obtained permission to re-enter the U.S., fled on foot when agents identified themselves outside the courthouse but was apprehended shortly afterward.
DUGAN appeared in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday but made no public comments during the brief hearing. Her attorney, CRAIG MASTANTUONO, stated, “Judge DUGAN wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”
Earlier this week, DUGAN disputed the accuracy of local media reports, claiming that nearly every fact regarding the allegations was inaccurate. Fox News Digital reached out to her office multiple times but has not yet received a response.
The arrest has sparked significant controversy, with State Representative BOB DONOVAN, a Republican, calling the alleged actions “irresponsible” and “border[ing] on obstruction of justice.” He urged the FBI to conduct a thorough investigation and pursue prosecution if warranted.
DUGAN, who was elected to Branch 31 of the Circuit Court in 2016 and ran unopposed in 2022, has a background in legal aid organizations and previously served as executive director of Catholic Charities. She primarily oversees cases in the misdemeanor division.
This incident follows recent arrests by ICE officials in courthouse hallways and a separate case in New Mexico where a judge and his wife were arrested for allegedly harboring an undocumented immigrant and a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
For more details, visit [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com) and [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](https://www.jsonline.com).
