Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been formally indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly obstructing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest that took place in her courtroom last month.
On Tuesday, May 13, the grand jury returned the indictment following a full day of testimony and proceedings at the federal courthouse.
Although the exact details of the charges included in the indictment were not immediately released, Dugan, 66, had previously been charged with two felony counts: obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison and fines totaling $350,000, although sentencing guidelines typically call for less time in nonviolent cases.
Dugan is scheduled to appear in court on May 15 to formally enter a plea.
The indictment follows a high-profile incident last month, during which Judge Dugan was accused of aiding an illegal immigrant in avoiding federal arrest. According to the FBI, the incident involved Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented individual facing charges in a domestic abuse case over which Dugan was presiding. When Dugan learned that ICE agents were waiting outside the courtroom to detain Flores-Ruiz, she allegedly took steps to help him escape.
New video from our crews: Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan and her attorney leaving the federal courthouse in Milwaukee and not commenting. The FBI arrested her at the MKE Co Courthouse this morning. She's charged with 2 felonies for obstructing an ICE arrest last week pic.twitter.com/3YtgsNHTJl
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) April 25, 2025
Federal officials claim Dugan became irate upon discovering ICE’s presence and took deliberate actions to mislead agents. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Judge Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested at her courthouse.” The judge reportedly instructed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to follow her into chambers, where she then directed them out through a restricted jury exit.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the scene in a televised interview, stating that Dugan “screamed at immigration officers, visibly angry, then escorted the defendant out through a private door, telling him to leave and avoid arrest.”
The case has drawn national attention and stirred significant debate over the role of local judges in federal immigration enforcement. Dugan, a sitting judge with a long legal career, did not speak to reporters following her initial arrest in late April. Video footage captured her exiting the courthouse alongside her attorney, declining to comment.
Authorities have confirmed that the case is being treated seriously given the nature of the charges and the precedent it could set for future conflicts between federal law enforcement and local judicial officials.
The Department of Justice is continuing its investigation and has stated that further legal action may be pursued depending on the outcome of the indictment process.