Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on Friday after being accused of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week.
On April 18th, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz appeared in Judge Hannah Dugan’s courtroom for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery.
According to reports, when ICE agents appeared outside the courtroom, Dugan led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. The ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot.
Since March, ICE agents have been to the Milwaukee County courthouse three times to conduct arrests.
At the Milwaukee County courthouse, County Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by FBI agents and accused of obstructing an immigration enforcement action.
According to the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Dugan was arrested at 8.30 a.m. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries on Friday morning.
Dugan is being charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.
According to online court records, Dugan was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that she would appear in court.
Kash Patel, Director of the FBI, wrote in a social media post that Dugan had “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30, who is a Mexican immigrant that was accused of misdemeanor battery.
According to analysis, the post has since been deleted. It accused Dugan of creating “increased danger to the public.”
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said, “Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out.”
He also spoke out against the FBI for politicizing the arrest, saying, “It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nation’s immigration laws. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugan’s case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patel’s statement shows that Trump’s FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice.”
Just NOW, 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…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025
