What to know about Wisconsin judge arrested by FBI
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Demonstrators protest outside the federal courthouse where Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan appeared in in front of a judge after being arrested by the FBI at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 25 in Wisconsin. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, pleaded not guilty to federal charges Thursday of allegedly trying to help an undocumented defendant avoid arrest.
The big picture: The Wisconsin judge's criminal charges come as the Trump administration ramps up its battle against the judicial branch and tests its executive power to enforce the president's immigration policies.
The latest: Dugan was indicted earlier this week on charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of proceedings.
- Dugan had been "temporarily relieved" of her official duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which said the action "is in the public interest."
FBI arrest
Dugan, who has served nearly a decade on the court, was arrested on charges of obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the U.S. and with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery or arrest, per the criminal complaint.
- She appeared briefly in federal court last month following her arrest and was then released from custody, according to AP.
- "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," said her lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, during the hearing, per AP.
Criminal complaint against Dugan
Dugan is accused helping an undocumented immigrant scheduled to appear in her courtroom avoid arrest by immigration officials.
- "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest," FBI director Kash Patel said at the time.
- Flores-Ruiz is currently in FBI custody, per Patel.
Zoom in: Flores-Ruiz was scheduled for a hearing on April 18 in a criminal case in Dugan's courtroom, the complaint states. ICE agent went to the courthouse with an administrative arrest warrant and planned to take him into custody in a public area outside the courtroom after his appearance before the judge.
- When Dugan learned ICE agents had come with an administrative warrant, rather than a judicial warrant, she told them to go speak to the chief judge, per the complaint.
- During that time, Dugan allegedly took Flores-Ruiz through a juror door and out of the court room, witnesses said according to the FBI's complaint.
- Agents later arrested Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse.
Dugan's background
Dugan was first elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2016 and again in 2022.
- Prior to the post, she worked as civil law attorney and as executive director of Catholic Charities, a social service agency.
- Dugan taught law courses at Marquette University and Seattle University Law School.
- She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1987.
More from Axios:
- READ: FBI criminal complaint against Wisconsin judge
- FBI arrests Wisconsin judge for obstruction of ICE agents: Kash Patel
- Trump and allies rail at courts as some Republicans defend judiciary
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Dugan's not guilty plea.
