Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has avoided jail time after being convicted of obstruction of justice for assisting an undocumented immigrant charged with domestic abuse to evade federal agents. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Dugan to a $5,000 fine but imposed no prison sentence.
Dugan was found guilty by a federal jury for her role in the April 2025 incident. Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had entered the country illegally and was facing domestic violence charges, was scheduled to appear in Dugan's courtroom. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were present at the courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz on an administrative warrant.
According to reports, Dugan left her courtroom to confront the ICE agents, questioning the validity of their administrative warrant and ordering them to leave the building. She then directed the agents to the chief judge's office, a move that served to divert their attention. While agents were occupied, Dugan addressed Flores-Ruiz's case off the record, scheduled a status conference, and informed his attorney that the defendant could appear via Zoom. Dugan then personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courthouse through a side door, away from public view, allowing him to escape.
ICE agents, realizing Flores-Ruiz had evaded arrest, pursued him with the assistance of FBI agents. He was eventually apprehended. The Justice Department subsequently indicted Dugan for her actions.
During her trial, evidence presented indicated Dugan was aware her conduct was unlawful, with trial testimony suggesting she told her court reporter, "I'll do it. I'll get the heat," when referring to helping Flores-Ruiz exit the building.
Dugan faced a recommended prison sentence of 15 to 21 months, with a maximum of 60 months. Despite the jury's verdict and the potential sentencing guidelines, Judge Adelman ultimately decided against incarceration, a decision that has drawn criticism. Adelman, a former Democrat politician in Wisconsin, presided over the sentencing hearing.