Judge Hannah Dugan Arrested By FBI
Dugan was being investigated for alleged role in helping individual avoid ICE agents.
Judge Hannah Dugan. Photo from Hannah Dugan for Judge.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday morning in the area of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Dugan was under investigation for allegedly aiding an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
She was charged with one count of obstruction and one count of concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. The first charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine. The second charge carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
The news was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel in an X post. Shortly after this article was published, Patel’s post appeared to be deleted.
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” said Patel. “Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshal’s Service confirmed that the arrest happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. and did not take place in her courtroom.
Dugan was arraigned Friday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries and represented by attorney Craig Mastantuono.
Mastantuono protested her arrest, according to federal court records. She was released following her arraignment. The case will be presented to a grand jury at a later date. Under the U.S. Constitution, a person cannot be made to stand trial in federal court for a crime until a panel of citizens finds probable cause for the charges.
She left the U.S. Courthouse with Mastantuono. After the hearing, it was announced that former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic would represent Dugan.
“Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge. She has retained former United States Attorney Steven Biskupic to represent her. Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated,” said Mastantuono, Coffee & Thomas in a statement.
Dugan’s arrest comes as ICE has arrested multiple individuals inside the courthouse in recent weeks who were appearing for other matters.
The incident involving Flores-Ruiz occurred on April 18. A definitive account of what happened that day has yet to be publicly established, with Dugan telling one reporter via email that “nearly every fact regarding the ‘tips’ in your email is inaccurate.”
Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley wrote an email to judges saying the agents presented a warrant to arrest the individual, but Dugan responded to the email saying this: “As a point of clarification below, a warrant was not presented in the hallway on the 6th floor [where her courtroom is located].”
After this article was initially published, a federal criminal complaint was released that offers federal law enforcement officials’ account of what happened on the day of Flores-Ruiz’s arrest.
“I am aware of the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out,” said County Executive David Crowley in a statement.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore released a statement expressing alarm about the arrest and condemning President Donald Trump‘s administration for the arrest.
“This Administration’s willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar,” Moore said.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the arrest threatens the U.S. system of checks and balances and separation of powers. “The President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power,” Baldwin said.
Dugan was first elected to a six-year term in 2016 and reelected without opposition in 2022.
Court records show that Dugan has 10 cases scheduled for Friday.
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More about the Courthouse ICE Arrests
- Dugan Enters Not Guilty Plea During Brief Appearance - Graham Kilmer - May 15th, 2025
- Dugan Seeks Dismissal of Charges, Cites Judicial Immunity - Graham Kilmer - May 14th, 2025
- Grand Jury Indicts Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan - Sarah Lehr - May 13th, 2025
- ICE Makes Another Courthouse Arrest - Graham Kilmer - May 7th, 2025
- Judge Monica Isham Condemned For Concerns About Dugan’s Arrest - Frank Zufall - May 5th, 2025
- Rep. Margaret Arney Decries Political Targeting of Judge Hannah Dugan - State Rep. Margaret Arney - May 1st, 2025
- Back in the News: The Many Lawyers of Hannah Dugan - Bruce Murphy - Apr 30th, 2025
- Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Judge Hannah Dugan - Baylor Spears - Apr 30th, 2025
- Murphy’s Law: The Patriotism of Hannah Dugan - Bruce Murphy - Apr 28th, 2025
- Statement on the Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Apr 28th, 2025
Read more about Courthouse ICE Arrests here
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Where’s LulzSec when you need them?
We need to bring back #fuckfbifriday
Yet another example of how the administration of HWSNBN is following the example of Hitler and the Gestapo. We longer live in a democratic country. We are living under a fascist dictatorship.
@mkwagner.
Are you aware that this illegal alien,(here in the US illegally),Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was charged with 3 counts of domestic battery and one of the charges was beating of a woman. He struck a man 30 times during the encounter, all because they asked him to turn down music that was being played loudly.
In 2013, an order was issued for removal to Mexico in January of 2013.
He returned back the US but never obtained permission to legally return.
He was here illegally.
How on earth can you equate Trump to Hitler?
Hitler was the architect of the mass murder of 6 million Jews.
Do you know the definition of, “dictatorship,” or “fascism?”
Imagine if that was your family member, or you, waiting for that day in court only to have it taken away by an an activist judge, who decided to deny you of your rights and side with an illegal alien.
Hey jsalmon1159, how foolish and disrespecful of you to introduce facts and logic. Those are wasted on those with Ultra Severe Chronic Trump Derangement Syndrome (USCTDS). Just smile at the mkwagners of the world and enjoy the life we are privileged to live in this era of this great country
Hey Trmott & jsalmon, are you aware that we have a constitution in the good ole United States of America? Are you aware that means that all individuals have the right to due process under the constitution of the United States of America? Are you aware that the deportations that are being protested were done with no due process required under the guarantees of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America? Are you aware that the administration initially said that the removal of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was a clerical error on the part of the administration? Are you aware that no mention of prior arrest was made until days after the illegal deportation when much of the public became concerned with deportations done in violation of the United States Constitution? Are you aware that I can accuse you of anything and that accusation is not a finding of guilt? This is why we have due process in the great United States of America! Show that he has committed violence & away he goes! Due process means we don’t just take someone’s word for something as fact. We require evidence and THEN we convict or deport. Just like you don’t get punished just because I say you committed a crime against me. You go to jail AFTER the state proves the case against you. And btw, before you tell me that noncitizens have no rights, the14thamendment does not say that it only applies to citizens.
@larsona42
Where were you and your outrage when he was deported in 2013 under the Obama administration.
Also, there were victims in the latest charge who will probably be denied their day in court.
Victims have rights too.
If you’re so concerned about these illegals, there are about 10, to 15 to 20 million that are running around the US, on the taxpayers dime. Go to any sanctuary city and bring a family into your house.
And while you’re at it, tell me this mess wasn’t Biden’s fault.
jsalmon are you trying to miss the point? And where did I show outrage? If someone does not have status to be in the United States of America, I have zero problem with deporting him after he receives due process, including that a court ensures that the individual is in fact not a citizen of the United States. If he does have legal status but he violates the rules or is shown to be a threat, I have zero problem with deportation. I said absolutely nothing about removing rights from victims. And if you have proof that no undocumented individuals being deported in the last 100 days entered the United States of America while President Trump was in office, I am very happy to accept it. If you have proof that this whole situation was created and maintained by President Biden, I am happy to accept it. Problem is no one who makes these assertions ever presents anything other than assertions.
Regarding your “clerical error” comment re the Judge’s extralegal action by facilitating exit of the illegal guy who was then arrested outside the courthouse: Eduardo Flores-Ruiz is not Kilmar Ábrego García.
Given that millions of illegal entries were encouraged and facilitated by the prior “administration”, it’s hard to keep them all straight, but try harder.
You are absolutely right about my using the wrong name & combining 2 people with different circumstances. Either way, again, the point was never about whether someone should be permitted to remain or be deported. I know you care about the United States of America & the great constitutional rights we all share! I know you believe in the established constitutional due process clause and just forgot to apply it. And you even cared that President Obama deported him in 2013! I assume that was a legal deportation. What year did Ruiz re-enter? The most deportations occured during President Obama’s tenure. Where should I look to find numbers that show the number of deportations under President Trump versus under President Biden? I want to try harder!
Jsalmon, the operative word is “charged.” In this country under our US Constitution, everyone is innocent until proven in a court of law, by a jury of our peers, guilty. This concept is called “Due Process” and it is a right (not a privilege) for everyone whether a citizen, resident, immigrant, or criminal. Judge Dugan was preserving Flores-Ruiz’ right of due process. His passed history has nothing to do with the issues. Our democratic form of government requires that everyone has a fair and speedy trial. What ICE is trying to do is subverting the principles upon which this country was founded. They did it without proper warrants, in an extra judicial manner. This is the same behavior the Gestapo used against Jews, Gypsies, socialists, political opponents, LGBTQ, and the disabled. I bring up this history because we are hell bent on repeating the mistakes of the German people.
Am I “deranged”? No, unlike you I believe what HWSNBN said that he would be a dictator. I see the damage he is doing to this country. I am outraged that his first act as president was to spit on the Constitution he SWORE an oath to uphold and defend. I am also reminded of the statement by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) made in 1947:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
We are each called to uphold and defend the Constitution in our own way. Speaking for the rights of the oppressed is the least we should be doing at this time. You make fun of my concerned from a place of privilege that YOU DID NOT EARN. I believe that puts your “patriotism is serious question.
jsalmon1159:
Fascism : a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition.
A dictatorship is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single person, or a small group, with no significant checks and balances to limit their authority. This means the dictator or ruling group makes decisions unilaterally, often without consulting or involving the public, and often without regard for the rights of citizens.
Sound like anything you have read about or experienced since January 20, 2025?
Not really.
Trmott try harder.
Trmott:
Typical right-wing, “us vs them” response. Can’t wait to see if your opinion changes once this administration begins applying these same Constitutional-violating methods to Joe Average American. I will refer you back to mkwagner’s post referencing the statement by Pastor Martin Niemöller made in 1947.
Put yourself or a family member or friend in the “I” and “me” positions of this quote, consider the potential consequences, and then make another flippant comment.
The us and them you and Frump & Co seem to want to keep separated is, in fact, all of the American public…not just Dems or Indies that did not vote for Frump.
I think I will just align myself with Trmott.
Ruiz initially broke the law by coming into my country illegally.
Dugan broke the law by as CNN’s said Elie Honig has some bad news for Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan: “Let’s strip the politics out of it — this is a crime. If they can prove what happened here, it is a crime … That is textbook obstruction.”
No one is above the law, right Democrats?
Once evidence is presented and a person is convicted, he should absolutely be subject to the consequences under the law. Is anyone above the law? Sadly, I didn’t think so until President Trump.
I wonder if Kash Patel’s father, Pramod Patel, would be welcomed into the US today (Pramod fled Uganda, then ruled by Idi Amin, in 1972).
Can’t wait to see a picture of Dugan with “MS13” tattooed on her knuckles.