FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Amid Obstruction Charges

Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Federal prosecutors filed a motion on June 9, 2025, requesting a court to deny Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan‘s plea to dismiss obstruction charges against her. Dugan, 65, was arrested by the FBI on April 25 and is accused of concealing defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz to prevent his arrest by immigration officials.

According to court documents, prosecutors argue that Dugan’s motion to dismiss disregards established laws that allow for the prosecution of judges for criminal actions. Richard Frohling, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, stated, “Her state judicial post is not a license to engage in conduct that violates federal criminal law.”

Prosecutors specifically challenge Dugan’s allegations that federal agents disrupted court proceedings on April 18 while seeking to apprehend Flores-Ruiz for immigration violations. The government asserts that it was Dugan who interfered with the agents’ responsibilities.

The filing claims Dugan paused an unrelated case, left her courtroom to contact a colleague, and confronted federal agents in a public area of the courthouse. Prosecutors allege she directed the agents to the chief judge’s office, knowing he was absent. The indictment points out that she guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a non-public area to evade federal arrest.

Evidence from surveillance cameras shows that Flores-Ruiz did not use the stairs, as previously suggested, but exited through a private door and took the elevator while being followed by federal agents. Flores-Ruiz was later captured outside the courthouse following a brief foot chase.

Prosecutors maintain, “Nothing in the indictment or the anticipated evidence supports Dugan’s assertion that agents ‘disrupted’ the court’s docket.” They emphasize that her actions exceeded her judicial authority.

Dugan has pleaded not guilty, with her trial set for July 21. Her attorneys argue that she is protected by judicial immunity for her official actions, asserting that the prosecution violates her constitutional rights and should be dismissed. They referred to past Supreme Court cases, stating, “Immunity is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily relieved her of her official duties, stating it is in the public interest.