The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday (April 18) for allegedly obstructing the arrest of an illegal immigrant. According to Fox News, Judge Dugan is accused of hiding an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in her jury room to prevent his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Federal agents from ICE, FBI, and other agencies attempted to arrest Flores-Ruiz after his court appearance for misdemeanor battery charges. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Dugan allegedly directed ICE agents to the chief judge’s office, allowing Flores-Ruiz to exit the building.
Despite the alleged obstruction, ICE agents eventually detained Flores-Ruiz.
Judge Dugan, elected in 2016, has denied the accusations, stating that the facts reported are inaccurate. She is scheduled to appear in federal court in Milwaukee.
"In all my years of Milwaukee politics and public safety issues, working with cops, district attorneys, and judges, I have never seen a more irresponsible act by an officer of the court, let alone a judge, if true," State Rep. Bob Donovan said in a statement. "This borders on obstruction of justice and I hope the FBI continues a thorough investigation and, if warranted, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."