FBI arrests Wisconsin judge, alleging she obstructed arrest of illegal alien
The FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge Friday morning for allegedly hiding a previously deported illegal immigrant in her jury room in order to stop him from being arrested by ICE, Fox News has learned.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding after evidence came to light that she had shielded the migrant from ICE agents. She was also charged with concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest, according to a criminal complaint.
Federal agents from ICE, FBI, CBP and DEA attempted to arrest the undocumented male – Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz -- following his scheduled criminal court appearance before Dugan on April 18 to face three misdemeanor battery charges.
Dugan demanded that the officers proceed to the chief judge’s office and – after his hearing ended - escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area where agents were waiting, per the complaint.
Dugan appeared in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday and made no public comments during the brief hearing, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety."
Earlier this week, she disputed the accuracy of local reports which claimed she had shielded the illegal migrant from ICE.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Dugan had responded to the accusations in its publication on Tuesday, writing: "Nearly every fact regarding the 'tips' in your email is inaccurate."
Fox News Digital contacted Dugan’s office by phone on Wednesday, and a worker said the judge was in court and would return the call. Fox News Digital contacted Dugan again on Thursday and has not yet received a response.
Flores-Ruiz was being arrested after officials said they found probable cause that he was removable under U.S. immigration law, given he was previously deported and never sought or obtained permission to re-enter the country. When agents identified themselves to him outside the court, he fled the scene on foot but was arrested shortly after the incident, according to the complaint.
The incident comes after two people were arrested by ICE officials in the hallways of the courthouse in recent weeks, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding after evidence came to light that she had shielded the migrant from ICE agents. She was also charged with concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest, according to a criminal complaint.
Federal agents from ICE, FBI, CBP and DEA attempted to arrest the undocumented male – Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz -- following his scheduled criminal court appearance before Dugan on April 18 to face three misdemeanor battery charges.
Dugan demanded that the officers proceed to the chief judge’s office and – after his hearing ended - escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area where agents were waiting, per the complaint.
Dugan appeared in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday and made no public comments during the brief hearing, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety."
Earlier this week, she disputed the accuracy of local reports which claimed she had shielded the illegal migrant from ICE.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Dugan had responded to the accusations in its publication on Tuesday, writing: "Nearly every fact regarding the 'tips' in your email is inaccurate."
Fox News Digital contacted Dugan’s office by phone on Wednesday, and a worker said the judge was in court and would return the call. Fox News Digital contacted Dugan again on Thursday and has not yet received a response.
Flores-Ruiz was being arrested after officials said they found probable cause that he was removable under U.S. immigration law, given he was previously deported and never sought or obtained permission to re-enter the country. When agents identified themselves to him outside the court, he fled the scene on foot but was arrested shortly after the incident, according to the complaint.
The incident comes after two people were arrested by ICE officials in the hallways of the courthouse in recent weeks, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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