On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an administrative order relieving Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan of her official responsibilities on a temporary basis. Dugan was arrested and charged with obstructing an official procedure after it was revealed that she had concealed an undocumented immigrant from federal authorities, as stated in a criminal complaint.
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an administrative order relieving Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan of her official responsibilities on a temporary basis. Dugan was arrested and charged with obstructing an official procedure after it was revealed that she had concealed an undocumented immigrant from federal authorities, as stated in a criminal complaint.
The Wisconsin Court System informed Fox News on Tuesday afternoon that Dugan will not be returning to the court this week, and her responsibilities will be managed by other judges.
Dugan is set to appear in federal court on May 15 to address charges of obstructing a federal agency and a misdemeanor accusation of concealing an individual to aid in evading arrest.
On Friday, the FBI apprehended Dugan for reportedly harboring a previously deported illegal immigrant in the jury chamber to avoid detection by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Federal authorities from ICE, FBI, CBP, and DEA attempted to apprehend Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz after his scheduled court appearance before Judge Dugan on April 18, where he faced three misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly assaulting two individuals. According to the lawsuit, Judge Dugan instructed the police to escort him to the chief judge’s office and, after the hearing, led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted jury exit, avoiding the public area where agents were positioned to facilitate his arrest.
Judge Dugan appeared in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday but did not make any public statements during the brief hearing, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, informed the court, ‘Judge Dugan deeply regrets and contests her arrest, asserting it was not conducted in the interest of public safety.’ Dugan dismissed local allegations that she had concealed the undocumented immigrant from ICE.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Dugan responded to the claims in its article published last Tuesday, stating, ‘Almost every detail regarding the “tips” in your email is incorrect.’
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s conduct during an appearance on Fox’s “America Reports.” “We were astonished that a judge would take such action,” Bondi remarked.
Obstructing a criminal case is unacceptable. It is truly disgraceful. This was a domestic violence case, and she chose to prioritize the rights of a criminal defendant over the victims of the crime.” Bondi further stated that Flores-Ruiz assaulted two individuals, a male and a female.
He assaulted the individual, striking him thirty times, knocked him to the ground, and choked him, while also severely injuring a woman, necessitating both of their hospitalizations,” she stated.
Democrats voiced their indignation following FBI Director Kash Patel’s announcement on Friday that Judge Dugan had been arrested for allegedly aiding an undocumented immigrant in avoiding detention by immigration officials.
Circuit Judge Monica Isham reacted by declaring her intention to cease hearing cases to protect herself and her staff from potential repercussions should they be asked to undertake similar actions as Judge Dugan.
“Yesterday, Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County upheld her Oath in the very building where she pledged to uphold it, and she was subsequently arrested and charged with felonies for doing so. This has gone too far,” she remarked.
“I refuse to permit anyone to be removed from my courtroom by ICE and sent to a concentration camp, particularly without due process, as mandated by BOTH constitutions we vowed to uphold. Should I begin fundraising for bail?” Isham inquired.
“I will not jeopardize myself or my staff, who may feel compelled to assist me or our community,” she concluded.
