ANDY NGO REPORTS: Federal judge upholds conviction of ex-Wisconsin judge who tried to help illegal migrant escape

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman on April 6 denied a motion from Hannah C. Dugan seeking an acquittal or a new trial after a federal jury found her guilty in December of obstructing a federal proceeding. 

Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah C. Dugan

In his ruling, Judge Adelman said the federal government presented sufficient evidence that Dugan took deliberate steps to hinder federal officials from attempting to carry out an administrative arrest tied to immigration removal proceedings.

He also rejected arguments that the jury was improperly instructed or that the obstruction statute was applied too broadly.

Dugan, a disgraced former Milwaukee County judge, had been indicted following the events of April 18, 2025 when federal officials tried to arrest an illegal migrant suspect at the courthouse.

Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest violent suspect and Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. He had an administrative immigration warrant and a prior removal order. 

Mexican man Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

At the trial, it was revealed that Dugan learned of the agents’ presence and then confronted them in a public hallway, creating a diversion for the Mexican suspect to escape.

Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a restricted-access door reserved for jurors.

Flores-Ruiz ran but was apprehended outside the courthouse after a foot chase.

At the trial, Dugan’s defense argued that her conduct fell within her authority as a judge and that she was entitled to immunity for official acts.

The court rejected that claim.

Flores-Ruiz was deported in November 2025.

Dugan has not yet been sentenced but faces up to five years in prison.