On Friday, FBI agents took into custody Judge Hannah C. Dugan of Milwaukee, who is accused of obstructing justice by guiding an undocumented immigrant out of her courtroom while federal agents awaited in the hallway to arrest him.
The judge’s arrest provoked strong reactions from Democratic officials and sparked protests in Wisconsin’s capital.
In response, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi supported the actions, stating that Judge Dugan’s arrest sent a “clear signal” to judges that the Trump administration would pursue legal action against them for obstructing justice by “sneaking a criminal defendant out the back.”
Following her arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel shared a photo of Judge Dugan in handcuffs on X, highlighting that “no one is above the law.”
This incident has raised numerous questions—many of which are still unanswered. Here’s what we know so far.
What led to Judge Dugan’s arrest?
On April 18, six federal officers arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national attending a hearing regarding battery charges.
Before the session, a lawyer informed Judge Dugan that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were outside her courtroom, as per the criminal complaint. She deemed the situation “absurd” and left her seat.
Judge Dugan then conversed with the federal agents, indicating that they required a judicial warrant and needed to consult with the Milwaukee County chief judge.
An officer spoke with Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who mentioned there was a policy being developed regarding ICE’s arrest locations in the courthouse. He stressed that such actions should not occur in courtrooms or secluded areas, suggesting that hallways were acceptable.
As Mr. Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer exited the courtroom, Judge Dugan instructed them, “Hold on, come with me,” according to a courtroom deputy who witnessed the exchange. The deputy observed her directing them to a “nonpublic” area of the courthouse, as indicated in court records.
Eventually, agents spotted Mr. Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer in a public corridor, and one agent entered an elevator with them, observing their departure from the building; however, he did not initiate the arrest at that moment. Following a foot pursuit, other agents apprehended him outside.
A week later, FBI agents arrested Judge Dugan at the courthouse, charging her with obstructing immigration officers and concealing a person to hinder an arrest.
Craig Mastantuono, the lawyer who represented Judge Dugan during her brief court appearance as a defendant on Friday, described her arrest as “highly unusual,” noting that federal officials could have first reached out for questioning or requested her to come in voluntarily.
Who is Judge Dugan?
Judge Dugan, aged 65, has dedicated much of her career to offering legal assistance to those in need, focusing on housing and public benefits.
In 1995, she defended individuals accused of panhandling on downtown sidewalks, arguing that prohibiting it was unconstitutional. She was elected as a judge in 2016 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2022. Her current term is set to end in 2028.
Ann Jacobs, a Milwaukee attorney who has appeared before Judge Dugan, characterized her as a “very rule-oriented judge.”
Following her court appearance on Friday, Judge Dugan was released on her recognizance. Her legal team pledged to challenge the charges, with a preliminary hearing set for May 15.
Who is Mr. Flores-Ruiz, and what is his situation?
Mr. Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national in his early 30s, was present in court on April 18 for a hearing concerning three misdemeanor battery charges he faced from an incident in March.
Records indicate that he became involved in a fight with his roommate, who asked him to lower the volume of the music. The roommate alleged that Mr. Flores-Ruiz assaulted him around 30 times, in addition to hitting the roommate’s girlfriend and her cousin.
Additionally, federal authorities were seeking to arrest Mr. Flores-Ruiz for an illegal re-entry charge.
He had been deported from the U.S. in January 2013 under an expedited removal order, typically issued to individuals who cross the border without appropriate documentation. According to his federal attorney, Martin Pruhs, Mr. Flores-Ruiz returned shortly after his deportation and had been living in Milwaukee, working as a cook for around 12 years.
Mr. Pruhs mentioned that Mr. Flores-Ruiz had no prior criminal record before facing the misdemeanor charges.
Six federal officers from four agencies, including the F.B.I., ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, were involved in apprehending him last week. The complaint against Judge Dugan stated that the agents, dressed in civilian clothing, intended to arrest Mr. Flores-Ruiz in an unobtrusive and secure manner. It also noted that law enforcement often apprehends individuals in courthouses believing they might be unarmed.
The number of agents present raised questions, leading some to wonder if the deployment was excessive for a single immigrant’s arrest. However, others expressed that this might not be out of the ordinary, especially if multiple arrests were planned that day.
Mr. Flores-Ruiz is currently detained at Ozaukee County Jail in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
What could be the implications of these arrests?
The arrests of Judge Dugan and Mr. Flores-Ruiz have raised concerns among experts about their potential impact on immigration cases and the broader court system.
Because federal agents chose to apprehend Mr. Flores-Ruiz in a courthouse, Ann Jacobs is apprehensive that undocumented individuals may hesitate to engage in future cases where their testimonies could be crucial.
Ms. Jacobs, who also chairs the Wisconsin Elections Commission, stated that the nature of Judge Dugan’s arrest is so “profound and unprecedented” that the repercussions on judges’ conduct are unpredictable. She expressed concern that the action seemed aimed at instilling fear in judges who might oppose the Trump administration’s stance.
Some individuals worry about the broader implications this case holds for America’s democracy and future. Ann Rohrer, a healthcare worker from Wauwatosa, expressed her concern, stating, “Our democracy, our country is under siege.”
Ms. Rohrer, aged 62, was among the many who protested Judge Dugan’s arrest outside an FBI office in St. Francis, Wisconsin, on Saturday.
“Everything that makes America great is under attack,” she stated.
Devlin Barrett, Julie Bosman and Robert Chiarito contributed reporting.
