New video shows Milwaukee judge helping defendant evade ICE agents
Newly released surveillance video appears to show Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan helping an immigrant illegally in the U.S. evade federal agents — first by directing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers away from her courtroom, then by leading the man and his attorney through a private back door. The April 18 video, released by Milwaukee County authorities, appears to support details outlined in an FBI affidavit that accuses Dugan of obstructing justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
According to the affidavit, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) were at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to serve a valid immigration arrest warrant on Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. He was scheduled to appear before Dugan that day on three charges of misdemeanor battery and domestic abuse.
Courtroom video footage delivers a vivid account
The footage shows federal agents waiting in a public hallway near Dugan’s courtroom as proceedings began. The affidavit states that when Dugan became aware of their presence, she appeared visibly angry, called the situation “absurd,” and left the bench and entered her chambers. Courthouse cameras then showed her, accompanied by another judge, approaching the ICE agents in the hallway and confronting them.
According to the affidavit, witnesses described Dugan’s demeanor as “angry and confrontational.” She allegedly told the agents they needed a judicial warrant — not just an administrative one — and instructed them to go to the chief judge’s office.
The video then shows Dugan returning to her courtroom, where moments later, according to the complaint, “Judge Dugan commanded Flores-Ruiz’s attorney and the male [Flores-Ruiz] to leave through a backdoor off the courtroom.” The affidavit states that only deputies, jurors, court staff, or in-custody defendants under escort usually use that door.
Courthouse surveillance follows Flores-Ruiz through a hallway where a plainclothes ICE agent, apparently realizing what was happening, follows them. The camera then shows Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exiting the courthouse onto the street.
As they emerge, the video captures Flores-Ruiz suddenly taking off, sprinting down the sidewalk. The ICE agent chases and tackles him about a block away, where the agent makes the arrest.
Federal prosecutors said the agents positioned themselves in a public area and prepared to make the arrest without disrupting court operations. The Department of Justice issued a press release stating that Dugan’s actions interfered with those efforts and allowed the suspect to temporarily evade federal custody.
Judge Dugan fights back
On May 13, a federal grand jury indicted Judge Dugan on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Authorities arrested her shortly thereafter, and she pleaded not guilty to both charges at a May 15 arraignment.
Her attorneys filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that judicial immunity protects Dugan from prosecution for actions taken as part of her official duties.
Dugan is scheduled to return to federal court on July 9 for a pretrial hearing. A jury trial is set for July 21, according to court records.
White House sees an open-and-shut case
The case has reignited tensions between local jurisdictions and federal authorities over cooperation with immigration enforcement. While local officials have largely remained silent, the White House has seized on the incident as a high-profile example of interference with federal immigration law.
“Let’s be clear about what this judge did,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing. “She obstructed federal law enforcement who were looking for an illegal alien in her courthouse. She showed that illegal alien the door to evade law enforcement officials. That is a clear case of obstruction.”
If convicted, Dugan faces up to six years in prison.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
