The Department of Justice issued a statement Friday afternoon saying that, per court documents, the 65-year-old Judge was arrested following an incident on April 18th.
The DOJ explained, “members of the Milwaukee office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), along with federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, attempted to execute a lawful arrest warrant for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national previously removed from the United States and recently charged in Milwaukee County with multiple counts of domestic abuse-related battery.”
In a post to X, FBI Director Kash Patel explained, “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. 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."
Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025
We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be…
The DOJ stated that when federal agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz in a public hallway after a scheduled court appearance before Judge Dugan, the Judge learned of their presence in the courthouse and confronted them outside the courtroom, ordering them to leave.
The Judge was then informed of a valid immigration arrest warrant and reportedly told the agents that a judicial warrant was required and demanded they obtain one from the Chief Judge.
Once the agents departed for the Chief Judge’s office, Dugan allegedly “elected not to conduct a hearing on Flores-Ruiz’s criminal case, despite the fact that victims of his offense were present, and instead personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted “jury door” exit not typically used by defendants or attorneys. This doorway led to a non-public hallway through which Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exited her courtroom.”
Once the federal agents realized the suspect had fled, they engaged in a foot pursuit and, after approximately twenty minutes, took Flores-Ruiz into custody. Judge Dugan was subsequently arrested on Friday morning.
In a statement addressing Dugan’s arrest and the similar arrest of former Doña Ana County, New Mexico Magistrate Judge Jose Luis Cano, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “The allegations against Judge Dugan and Judge Cano are serious: no one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations.”
Bondi added, “Doing so imperils the safety of our law enforcement officers and undermines the rule of law. The Department of Justice will continue to follow the facts — no one is above the law.”
It doesn’t matter what line of work you are in, if you break the law we will follow the facts and prosecute you.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 25, 2025
Under President Trump’s leadership, this administration will always fight for victims. pic.twitter.com/1dLermRk95
Speaking with Fox News later in the day, she told the outlet, "What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me," Bondi said per Axios. "The [judges] are deranged is all I can think of. I think some of these judges think that they are beyond and above the law. They are not, and we are sending a very strong message today ... if you are harboring a fugitive… we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you."
