Milwaukee, WI – In a stunning development that has sent ripples through the legal and political landscape, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, April 25, 2025. The arrest stems from allegations that Judge Dugan obstructed federal agents attempting to apprehend an undocumented immigrant within her courtroom the previous week.
Alleged Obstruction Leads to Federal Charges
According to a criminal complaint unsealed following her arrest, Judge Dugan is accused of interfering with immigration agents who were present at her courthouse on April 18, 2025, to take custody of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented man from Mexico. Flores-Ruiz was in court for a pretrial conference related to misdemeanor battery charges involving domestic abuse.
The FBI alleges that upon the arrival of the immigration agents, Judge Dugan expressed strong disapproval, reportedly calling the situation “absurd.” The complaint further details that Judge Dugan then allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his legal counsel out of the public courtroom through a jury exit, leading them to a non-public area of the courthouse. This action, according to the FBI, was a deliberate attempt to help Flores-Ruiz evade the pursuing agents.
Despite Judge Dugan’s alleged efforts, Flores-Ruiz was ultimately apprehended by federal agents outside the courthouse premises following a brief foot pursuit.
Judge Dugan Faces Federal Court
Judge Dugan was taken into custody at the Milwaukee County Courthouse and subsequently appeared before a federal judge on Friday. Following her court appearance, she was released from custody. She now faces two federal charges: obstruction of a proceeding of federal agents and concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest.
Divided Reactions Emerge
The arrest has ignited a firestorm of reactions, highlighting the deeply divisive issue of immigration enforcement in the United States. Supporters of Judge Dugan rallied outside the Federal Courthouse in Milwaukee, voicing their outrage over her arrest. Her legal representative issued a statement asserting that Judge Dugan “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest,” maintaining that it was “not made in the interest of public safety.”
FBI Director Kash Patel defended the agency’s actions, stating that Judge Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Flores-Ruiz, hindering their lawful duties. Conversely, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley issued a strong condemnation of the arrest, suggesting that the FBI was being improperly used to intimidate individuals who may disagree with the current administration’s immigration policies.
Legal experts have emphasized the rarity of a sitting judge facing federal charges of this nature, underscoring the gravity and unusual circumstances of the case. The incident is anticipated to fuel further debate regarding the delicate balance between federal immigration enforcement and the autonomy of local judicial proceedings. The legal proceedings against Judge Dugan are ongoing, and the nation watches closely as this unprecedented case unfolds.