Milwaukee Judge Dugan Convicted for Obstructing ICE Agents in Courthouse Incident

A federal jury in Milwaukee delivered a verdict on Thursday, finding Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of felony obstruction of federal agents. The charge stems from an April incident where Dugan interfered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempting to arrest an illegal alien who had appeared in her courtroom.

Dugan, a sitting judge with nine years on the bench, faced two counts: felony obstruction and a misdemeanor for concealing a person to prevent arrest. The jury convicted her on the felony but acquitted her on the misdemeanor after deliberating for over six hours.

The case began on April 18, 2025, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien Mexican national facing state domestic battery charges, appeared before Dugan. ICE agents, armed with an administrative warrant, waited in the hallway to take him into custody afterward. Prosecutors presented evidence, including surveillance footage and witness testimony, showing Dugan confronting the agents, directing most of them to the chief judge’s office to discuss courthouse policies, and then escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out through a restricted jury door leading to a non-public area.

Agents eventually spotted Flores-Ruiz outside, leading to a foot chase and his arrest nearby. He was later deported after pleading guilty to illegal presence in the country.

Federal authorities arrested Dugan a week after the incident, and a grand jury indicted her in May. The trial, which drew national attention amid the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, featured testimony from courthouse staff, fellow judges, and agents. Prosecutors argued Dugan’s actions were deliberate interference, not routine judicial duties. Her defense maintained she acted amid confusion over new ICE operations in the courthouse and had no intent to obstruct.

This marks the first time a state judge has faced trial for obstructing federal immigration agents. The felony conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, though guidelines for nonviolent offenses often result in less. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

The outcome sends a clear message: no one, not even those in positions of authority, stands above the law when it comes to enforcing immigration statutes. Attempts to shield illegal immigrants from federal deportation proceedings undermine border security and public safety. With millions entering the country unlawfully in recent years, incidents like this expose how some local officials have prioritized sanctuary policies over cooperation with federal law enforcement.

Dugan’s actions risked endangering agents and eroded trust in the judiciary’s impartiality. As ICE ramps up operations under current policies, this verdict reinforces that obstruction will face consequences, regardless of one’s title.