A federal jury finds Milwaukee judge guilty of obstructing immigration agents

"During the trial, federal agents testified Dugan seemed "angry" when she approached them in the public hallway where they were waiting to arrest Flores-Ruiz after his hearing. They testified that she asked the agents if they had a judicial warrant, sent them to speak with the chief judge, rushed Flores-Ruiz's case through, and allowed him and his attorney to leave the courtroom through the jury door, which led back to a public hallway."

"During the government's closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Watzka said Dugan conducted a "round-up" of federal agents and sent them to the chief judge's office. Watzka said Dugan then created an "escape route" for Flores-Ruiz when she let him exit a door defendants don't usually go through. Prosecutors also played courtroom audio of Dugan saying she'd "take the heat" for her actions."

Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was convicted of obstructing immigration agents who sought to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national charged with misdemeanor battery. Flores-Ruiz was arrested outside the courthouse after a short chase and later deported. A grand jury indicted Dugan; she pleaded not guilty to a felony obstructing-a-proceeding charge and a misdemeanor concealing-an-individual charge and was acquitted of the misdemeanor. Federal agents testified she appeared "angry," asked about a judicial warrant, directed agents to the chief judge, expedited Flores-Ruiz's case, and let him exit through a jury door leading to a public hallway. Defense attorneys argued courthouse enforcement policy confusion and the defendant's return to the hallway showed no concealment. Dugan did not testify.

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