Adrian
The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an administrative order on Tuesday, temporarily suspending Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan from her official duties. Dugan was arrested on Friday and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest, according to a criminal complaint.
The order states that Dugan is prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in Wisconsin until further notice. The Wisconsin Court System confirmed to Fox News that Dugan will not return to the bench this week, and her caseload will be reassigned to other judges.
Dugan is scheduled to appear in federal court on May 15, where she faces felony charges of obstruction of a federal agency and misdemeanor charges for concealing a person to help them avoid arrest. The allegations stem from an incident on April 18 involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported undocumented immigrant from Mexico, who was facing misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly assaulting two individuals.
According to the complaint, Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of a restricted jury door after his court hearing, bypassing ICE, FBI, CBP, and DEA agents who were waiting to arrest him. This action was allegedly taken to prevent his arrest.
During a brief hearing on Friday, Dugan appeared in federal court but made no public statements. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.” Dugan has also disputed the accuracy of local reports claiming she shielded Flores-Ruiz from ICE.
Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, criticized Dugan‘s actions during an appearance on “America Reports.” “We could not believe that a judge really did that,” Bondi said. “You cannot obstruct a criminal case. And really, shame on her. It was a domestic violence case of all cases, and she’s protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime.”
Flores-Ruiz allegedly assaulted two individuals, leaving both hospitalized. “He beat the guy, hit the guy 30 times, knocked him to the ground, choked him, beat up a woman so badly, they both had to go to the hospital,” Bondi added.
The case has sparked significant controversy, with Dugan‘s legal and professional future now in question as the federal charges proceed.
**Sources:**
[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com)
[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](https://www.jsonline.com)
