Key points: Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel says prosecutors and defense counsel are "discussing a potential resolution" in the federal case against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, though her lawyers have not indicated they would accept a deal. The indictment stems from an April incident in which Dugan escorted 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz out of her courtroom while federal agents were present; Flores-Ruiz was later captured and deported. Dugan faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest and could face up to six years in prison; her trial is set for Dec. 15. Legal observers note that public comments about plea talks are unusual and may signal political pressure from higher authorities.
Plea Negotiations Underway in Case of Wisconsin Judge Accused of Helping Immigrant Evade Agents
Key points: Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel says prosecutors and defense counsel are "discussing a potential resolution" in the federal case against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, though her lawyers have not indicated they would accept a deal. The indictment stems from an April incident in which Dugan escorted 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz out of her courtroom while federal agents were present; Flores-Ruiz was later captured and deported. Dugan faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest and could face up to six years in prison; her trial is set for Dec. 15. Legal observers note that public comments about plea talks are unusual and may signal political pressure from higher authorities.
05:11 AM, 11/19/2025Politics
Plea talks continue as trial date approaches
Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said his office and defense lawyers are "discussing a potential resolution" in the federal prosecution of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan as her trial nears, though her attorneys have not indicated they would accept any offer.
Such a plea agreement would represent an unexpected de-escalation in a case that has drawn national attention amid heated debate over federal immigration enforcement. Schimel described plea negotiations as part of a "normal process to resolve a case and eliminate risk for both sides, to find a resolution that makes sense."
What happened
Court records say that in April federal agents learned an undocumented immigrant was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan on a state battery charge. Agents went to the Milwaukee County Courthouse to take the man, identified as 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, into custody. According to the indictment, Dugan learned agents were in the courthouse and escorted Flores-Ruiz out of her courtroom through a private door. Flores-Ruiz got outside and was later captured by agents after a foot chase; authorities have since said he was deported.
Dugan was arrested at the courthouse about a week later. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging her with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Dugan maintains she did nothing improper and says she has full authority to control movement in her courtroom. Her trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 15. If convicted, she faces up to six years in prison.
Political and legal context
The prosecution has become a flashpoint in the broader dispute over the federal government's immigration policies. Democrats and local officials have accused federal authorities of using the case to pressure judges who are perceived as resisting immigration enforcement; supporters of the prosecution say it addresses possible interference with federal agents.
Officials have publicly highlighted the case on social media. Kash Patel posted a photo on X of Dugan being led from the courthouse in handcuffs, and the Department of Homeland Security posted on X that Dugan had taken the term "activist judge" "to a whole new meaning."
The Justice Department announced that Schimel was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and that he replaces acting U.S. Attorney Richard Frohling, who brought the prosecution. Schimel previously served as Wisconsin attorney general and later held a state judgeship.
Legal observers: John Vaudreuil, a former U.S. attorney in Wisconsin's Western District, said it is unusual for prosecutors to discuss plea talks publicly because such disclosures can be perceived as pressure on a defendant. Still, he said it is common for offices to explore plea resolutions as a professional courtesy. Vaudreuil suggested that direction from higher levels of the Justice Department could complicate efforts to resolve the case short of trial.
The case will continue to draw attention as the Dec. 15 trial date approaches and as both sides prepare their legal strategies.