A recently published video captures Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan conversing with federal agents outside her courtroom while they awaited the arrest of an undocumented immigrant to conclude his court appearance.
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was present in court on April 18, confronting charges of battery and domestic abuse stemming from a conflict with his roommates, as stated in a criminal complaint. This event attracted the notice of federal authorities, who later found that he was residing in the country without proper legal documentation, as reported by WTMJ-TV.
Flores-Ruiz was apprehended by federal agents immediately after leaving the courtroom. Prosecutors claim that Dugan assisted him in his effort to avoid arrest by facilitating his departure from the courthouse via a restricted exit typically designated for jurors and by diverting the attention of the agents.
They additionally assert that she guided the agents to consult with the chief judge, thereby providing Flores-Ruiz an opportunity to escape.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office has made available footage in response to a public records request, which depicts Judge Dugan conversing with federal agents outside her courtroom. Subsequently, the video shows the agents departing, being guided down a hallway, as reported by the outlet.
Federal prosecutors contend that Dugan’s actions were designed to distract the agents during the attempted apprehension of Flores-Ruiz.
They further assert that she instructed the agents to consult with the chief judge. Shortly after the agents leave, surveillance footage captures Flores-Ruiz, along with his attorney, leaving Dugan’s courtroom via a restricted access jury door, circumventing the public area where agents were positioned to assist him in evading arrest.
Further video evidence depicts Flores-Ruiz entering an elevator and leaving the courthouse, accompanied by a federal agent. Outside, surveillance footage records him fleeing before agents eventually detained him on 10th Street, as reported by the outlet.
Federal agents apprehended Dugan at the courthouse one week later, charging him with the concealment of an individual to hinder arrest and obstruct justice.
On May 13, she was indicted following a determination by a federal grand jury that there was sufficient probable cause to advance the case. In response, her legal representatives swiftly submitted a motion to dismiss the charges, contending that she is shielded by judicial immunity for actions performed in her official role.
Dugan entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in federal court on May 15. She is set to appear in court again for a pretrial hearing on July 9 at 10:30 a.m., with a jury trial scheduled for July 21, as per court records.
Flores-Ruiz is currently confronting federal charges for purportedly reentering the United States unlawfully after his deportation in 2013, as stated by prosecutors. Earlier this month, he entered a plea of not guilty to these charges.
He is set to appear in federal court on June 24 at 3:30 p.m. for a final pretrial conference, as indicated by court records.
A distinct status conference concerning his battery and domestic abuse charges is scheduled for June 18, according to records, as reported by WTMJ-TV.
Last month, after Dugan’s arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court released an administrative order instructing that she be “temporarily relieved of her official responsibilities.”
The directive states that Dugan “is temporarily barred from exercising the authority of a circuit court judge in the State of Wisconsin.”
The Supreme Court of the state announced that the decision would remain effective “until a subsequent order from the court is issued.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions during an appearance on Fox’s “America Reports.”
“We were astonished that a judge would actually take such an action,” Bondi remarked. “Obstructing a criminal case is unacceptable. Truly, she should be ashamed. This was a domestic violence case, and instead of supporting the victims of crime, she chose to protect a criminal defendant.”
Bondi stated that Flores-Ruiz assaulted two individuals, namely, “a male and a female.”
“He struck the individual, delivering 30 blows, knocked him down, choked him, and assaulted a woman so severely that both required hospitalization,” she stated.
