US : FBI arrests judge over alleged interference in immigration operation

A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge was taken into custody Friday morning by the FBI, accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal authorities.

According to federal officials, Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly led the individual and his attorney out of the courthouse through a restricted jury door to avoid immigration agents who were present with an administrative warrant.

The incident adds to a pattern of heightened federal enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose administration previously signaled intent to prosecute local officials perceived as obstructing immigration operations.

Dugan is now facing federal charges for allegedly hindering proceedings before a U.S. agency and for concealing a person to avoid discovery and arrest. She is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, after being apprehended around 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Following her arrest, Dugan appeared before a federal magistrate judge and was released on bond. A subsequent court hearing is scheduled for May 15.

The news was initially shared in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) by FBI Director Kash Patel, who wrote that Dugan had “intentionally misdirected federal agents” during a court appearance by the “subject to be arrested.”

Patel added, “Agents chased down the perp on foot,” and blamed the judge’s alleged actions for creating “increased danger to the public.” Later in the day, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Fox News, “You cannot obstruct a criminal case.”

This case echoes a similar one from 2019, when a judge in Massachusetts faced obstruction charges after allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant leave a courthouse via a back door. That case was ultimately resolved in 2022 when the charges were dropped under the Biden administration in favor of a review by the state’s judicial commission.

In an affidavit, FBI Special Agent Lindsay Schloemer of the Milwaukee Field Office detailed that ICE officials had targeted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was previously deported in 2013 and was found to be removable once again.

Agents reportedly planned to detain Flores-Ruiz during a court appearance before Dugan related to a domestic violence case. The affidavit notes that ICE prefers courthouse arrests due to the security screenings already in place.

The situation escalated when Dugan, reportedly upset by the agents’ presence, questioned their authority and demanded to speak with the chief judge. She allegedly then guided Flores-Ruiz and his defense attorney through a non-public exit, although ICE agents eventually apprehended him following a brief pursuit.