A Milwaukee judge has been convicted of felony obstruction for her role in aiding an undocumented man to avoid arrest. According to reports from WISN, an ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty after a trial that revealed her actions in concealing the individual from immigration enforcement.
Judge Dugan, who serves on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, faced serious charges outlined in a two-count federal indictment. These allegations claimed that she obstructed the official removal proceedings conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and deliberately hid the undocumented man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, from immigration authorities during a court appearance in April.
In an interesting turn of events, the jury concluded that Dugan was guilty of obstructing federal agents, yet they acquitted her of the charge related to concealing the immigrant from arrest during the incident at the courthouse.
The jury began deliberating on Thursday afternoon after a week-long trial where Dugan maintained her innocence by pleading not guilty. If sentenced for the obstruction conviction, she could face up to six years behind bars.
Federal prosecutors provided evidence showing that on April 18, Dugan encountered federal agents who were present at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, who was there for a battery charge. Prosecutors alleged that after her interaction with the agents, Dugan directed them towards the office of the chief judge and then assisted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney in exiting through a door that was not accessible to the public, suggesting an intentional effort to help him evade immigration enforcement.
Ultimately, Flores-Ruiz was captured outside the courthouse following a short chase. During closing arguments, prosecutors characterized Dugan as an angry and frustrated judge, urging the jury to hold her accountable for her purportedly criminal actions.
On the other hand, the defense described the prosecution as unjust, filled with uncertainties, and based largely on assumptions. They also raised questions about the credibility of the audio evidence presented. Throughout the trial, the prosecution introduced transcripts and recordings indicating that Dugan acknowledged she would face backlash for guiding Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to the side exit.
Notably, Dugan chose not to take the stand in her own defense. Character witnesses included former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who, despite not being present at the courthouse on that day, testified on her behalf.
Once the defense concluded its case on Thursday, Judge Lynn Adelman denied their motion to dismiss the charges against Dugan. Following her arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court temporarily suspended Dugan, stating that her removal from official duties was necessary for the public's interest.
Flores-Ruiz, originally from Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry into the United States. Earlier this month, he received a sentence of time served after pleading guilty to the charges against him. Recent reports indicate that he had been deported prior to these events.
