Milwaukee judge not immune from charges after allegedly helping illegal immigrant evade ICE, prosecutors say
Share this @internewscast.com

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Federal prosecutors are opposing Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan’s effort to have an indictment against her dismissed. The indictment accuses her of allegedly assisting an illegal immigrant in avoiding capture by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers within the Milwaukee County Courthouse last month.

Judge Dugan, aged 65, faced an indictment last month on federal charges for obstructing proceedings that were before a U.S. agency, alongside charges of unlawfully hiding an individual who was subject to arrest.

According to court documents submitted in late May, her defense team argues that she deserves judicial immunity and claims that the federal government exceeded its jurisdiction by arresting and charging her, thus infringing on her 10th Amendment rights and breaching the principle of separation of powers.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed a response to her motion to dismiss, noting that “the Supreme Court has made clear that judges are not immune from criminal liability.”

Judge Hannah Dugan appears to speak with ICE agents in the Milwaukee County Courthouse

Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly told agents that they needed a judicial warrant and told them to go to the Chief Judge’s Office. (Milwaukee County)

Prosecutors say evidence also shows Dugan directing agents to the chief judge’s office even while knowing he was out, then she “quickly returned to her courtroom and, among other things, directed [Florez-Ruiz’s] attorney to ‘take your client out and come back and get a date; and then to go through the jury door and down the stairs’ before physically escorting [Flroes-Ruiz] and his attorney into a non-public hallway with access to a stairwell that led to a courthouse exit,” filings say.

Dugan “did this all just days after thanking a colleague for providing information which explained that ICE could lawfully make arrests in the courthouse hall,” prosecutors stated Wednesday.

Judge Hannah Dugan in courthouse

The surveillance footage released by Milwaukee County appears to show Judge Hannah Dugan, wearing her black robes, confronting ICE agents in the courthouse hallway. (Milwaukee County)

“Put simply, nothing in the indictment or the anticipated evidence at trial supports Dugan’s assertion that agents ‘disrupted’ the court’s docket; instead, all events arose from Dugan’s unilateral, non-judicial, and unofficial actions in obstructing a federal immigration matter over which she, as a Wisconsin state judge, had no authority,” the document reads. “At the very least, for purposes of deciding this motion, Dugan’s claims to the contrary find no support in the indictment and should be rejected.”

One of Dugan’s defense attorneys, Dean Strang, told Fox News Digital that her counsel has a “good reply” to prosecutors’ Wednesday filing, but her team is waiting until their reply brief, due next Monday, to make it.

The Milwaukee judge has pleaded not guilty to charges filed against her, and a federal judge has set her trial date for July 21.

Judge Hannah Dugan arrested

The FBI is seen arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25. (Obtained by Fox News)

A federal indictment accuses Dugan of “falsely” telling federal officials in April that they needed a warrant to come into her courtroom during a scheduled appearance by Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national facing three misdemeanor battery charges.

Video footage appears to show Flores-Ruiz exiting the courthouse with his attorney, while an ICE agent follows him, and then running alongside the building for about a block before agents capture and arrest him.

Federal officials arrested Dugan a week after the courthouse incident.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan leaves the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse on May 15, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Judge Hannah Dugan appeared in federal court to answer charges that she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, elude federal arrest while he was making an appearance in her courtroom on April 18. (Scott Olson)

Dugan could face a maximum sentence of six years. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her. Fox News Digital has reached out to her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, for comment on the footage.

In April, Dugan’s legal team also filed a motion to dismiss the federal case against her, saying the judge “is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts.”

“Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset,” the motion said.

Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mamdani faces outrage over response to viral police beatdown

Public Outcry Erupts as Mamdani’s Reaction to Viral Police Incident Sparks Debate

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is under increasing scrutiny from civil rights advocates following…
Mexico pyramid shooter who took hostages and killed 1 is identified

Breaking: Identity of Mexico Pyramid Shooter Revealed – Hostage Crisis Unfolds

A tragic incident unfolded atop a historic Mexican pyramid on Monday, where…
Deborah Witzburg sits down for interview before her last day as Chicago inspector general in Mayor Brandon Johnson administration

Exclusive Interview: Deborah Witzburg Reflects on Her Tenure as Chicago’s Inspector General Before Departure

CHICAGO (WLS) — After four years as Chicago’s leading advocate for ethics,…
Still Broken: Journos Demand DC Hacks Protest Trump's Appearance at WH Correspondents' Dinner

Journalists Rally Against Trump at WH Correspondents’ Dinner: A Call for Change in D.C.

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump is set…
Former state controller Betty Yee drops bid for California governor

Betty Yee Withdraws from California Governor Race: Former State Controller’s Surprising Exit

Betty Yee, a Democrat and former California State Controller, announced on Monday…
Israeli soldiers caught smashing Jesus statue sentenced to 30 days in prison

Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to 30 Days for Vandalizing Jesus Statue: A Controversial Incident Unfolds

In response to international condemnation, two Israeli soldiers have been disciplined after…
Joseph 'Troubles' Matos wanted: $50,000 reward in connection to 2021 murder of Chicago National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal: FBI

FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Information on Joseph ‘Troubles’ Matos in 2021 Chicago National Guardsman Murder Case

CHICAGO — Authorities continue their search for Joseph Matos, a suspected member…
Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base

Chinese National Apprehended at JFK for Allegedly Capturing Images of U.S. Military Aircraft in Nebraska

A Chinese citizen was apprehended at New York’s John F. Kennedy International…
Law Roach slammed for 'flaunting privilege' after bougie Delta Air Line seat complaint

Celebrity Stylist Law Roach Criticized for Air Travel Complaint Over Luxurious Delta Seating

Renowned celebrity stylist Law Roach, known for crafting iconic looks for stars…
NYC parents outraged at new 2026-27 school calendar — with kids in latest-ever return this fall

NYC Parents Express Concerns Over 2026-27 School Calendar with Historically Late Fall Start

Parents of public school students in New York City are expressing dissatisfaction…
House GOP's campaign arm outraises Dems with record $47M haul

House GOP Campaign Arm Sets New Record with $47 Million Fundraising, Surpassing Democrats

In a remarkable financial achievement, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) amassed…
Temple University student viciously beaten by teen mob

Shocking Attack: Temple University Student Brutally Assaulted by Teen Mob

A group of aggressive juveniles reportedly pursued a college student at Philadelphia’s…