Wisconsin Judge Arrested By FBI For Obstruction Of ICE Agents

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Friday that Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly obstructing an immigration arrest operation. According to Patel, Dugan "intentionally misdirected federal agents away" from Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented individual scheduled to appear in her courtroom, allowing him to initially evade capture. Patel shared the arrest news on social media platform X, deleted the post, then reposted after Dugan’s court appearance.

The Associated Press confirmed Dugan was briefly held before being released from custody. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated, "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety." Patel later added that Flores Ruiz is now in FBI custody.

The situation unfolded after a Journal Sentinel report revealed that the FBI was investigating whether Dugan assisted an undocumented immigrant in avoiding arrest. Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley had previously sent an email to judges explaining that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived at the courthouse on April 18 with an arrest warrant, though Ashley’s communication did not name Dugan or reference the FBI investigation.

Neither Dugan’s office nor Ashley’s responded to Axios’ requests for comment.

Link: Axios