Prosecutors say Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan diverted federal agents to the chief judge's chambers and led Eduardo Flores-Ruiz out a private door, splitting the arrest team and forcing officers to chase him outside the courthouse. FBI and CBP agents testified they were undermanned and concerned for safety when Flores-Ruiz left the courtroom. Dugan's lawyers say she followed courthouse guidance and that agents could have arrested him in the hallway. The judge faces obstruction and concealment charges; the obstruction count carries up to five years.
Prosecutors Say Milwaukee Judge Diverted Agents, Putting Arrest Team at Risk
This courtroom sketch depicts Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan in court, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wis. (Adela Tesnow via AP)
Prosecutors on Tuesday portrayed Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan as having diverted federal officers and escalated risks to their safety while allegedly helping an immigrant avoid arrest inside the courthouse.
Courtroom Testimony and Allegations
The second day of Dugan's federal trial focused on her interactions with law enforcement during an April hearing. Prosecutors say that after learning federal agents were waiting outside her courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, Dugan directed agents to the chief judge's chambers and escorted Flores-Ruiz out through a private door, allowing him to leave the building where agents later chased and captured him in traffic.
FBI Agent Phillip Jackling testified he was concerned the arrest team had been split up after Dugan sent agents to consult with the chief judge, leaving the group undermanned to make a safe arrest. Customs and Border Protection Supervisory Officer Joseph Zuraw said Dugan "thrust her thumb over her shoulder, told me to 'get out,'" and pointed the officers toward the chief judge's office.
"This is a bad spot we're in right now. It's a bad spot because we don't have a decent number of officers to safely make an arrest," Zuraw testified, describing his thoughts as Flores-Ruiz left the courtroom.
Defense Position
Dugan's lawyers say the agents could have arrested Flores-Ruiz in the hallway and that the judge was following a draft courthouse policy directing staff to refer immigration agents to supervisors. Defense attorney Steven Biskupic told jurors Dugan had no intent to obstruct and was acting under procedural guidance.
Audio played for the jury captured Dugan telling her court reporter, "I'll get the heat," while discussing who would assist Flores-Ruiz, a remark prosecutors say shows she appreciated the stakes.
Charges, Potential Penalties and Context
Dugan faces federal counts of obstruction and concealment tied to the April incident. The more serious obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison, though federal judges commonly impose lesser penalties. Supporters of Dugan say the indictment is unusual for a sitting judge and contend it stems from intensified immigration enforcement policies; prosecutors reject that explanation and say the case reflects criminal conduct, not politics.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman earlier declined to dismiss the charges, finding no firmly established judicial immunity for the actions alleged. The government's case is expected to continue through Thursday.
