Former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan has been sentenced to a $5,000 fine and no prison time after being convicted of obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the attempted arrest of a Mexican immigrant. A federal judge cited Dugan’s long record of public service and otherwise law-abiding life in deciding against a prison sentence.
The case drew national attention because it involved a sitting state judge accused of interfering with federal immigration enforcement, raising broader questions about the relationship between state courts and federal authorities.
Sentence
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Dugan to pay a $5,000 fine and declined to impose a prison term.
Although federal sentencing guidelines recommended between 15 and 21 months in prison, the judge concluded that incarceration was not appropriate under the circumstances.
Adelman described Dugan’s actions as a brief but significant lapse in judgment rather than a pattern of criminal behavior.
Conviction
Dugan, 67, was convicted in December of felony obstruction.
However, the jury found her not guilty of a separate misdemeanor charge alleging that she concealed an individual to prevent an arrest.
Her attorneys have said they plan to appeal the conviction.
The Incident
The case stems from events on April 18, 2025, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
ICE agents arrived after learning that Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 31-year-old Mexican national accused of illegally reentering the United States, was scheduled to appear before Dugan in a state battery case.
According to prosecutors, Dugan confronted the immigration agents outside her courtroom and directed them to the chief judge’s office, arguing that their administrative warrant was not sufficient to make an arrest inside the courthouse.
After the agents left the immediate area, prosecutors said Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a private jury door.
ICE officers later located Flores-Ruiz in a courthouse hallway, followed him outside, and arrested him after a brief foot pursuit.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 18, 2025 | ICE agents attempted to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz at the courthouse. |
| April 2025 | FBI agents arrested Hannah Dugan. |
| December 2025 | Jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction. |
| July 2026 | Federal judge sentenced Dugan to a $5,000 fine with no prison time. |
Court Statements
During sentencing, Dugan told the court that her actions were intended to preserve courtroom order and safety rather than interfere with federal law enforcement.
She said she viewed herself as neither a hero nor someone who intentionally violated the law.
“I have been cast as both a scofflaw and a hero. I am neither. I am a public servant who’s just trying to do my job,” Dugan said.
She also told the court that threats against her and her family had effectively ended her public career.
Judge Adelman acknowledged that Dugan had made a poor decision but emphasized that her conduct represented only a few minutes during a lifetime of public service.
He also noted that ICE agents ultimately arrested Flores-Ruiz despite her actions.
Prosecutors’ Position
Federal prosecutors argued that Dugan violated her judicial oath by interfering with federal officers.
They maintained that judges have broad authority but must follow the law and should not obstruct law enforcement operations.
Although prosecutors argued that the offense deserved a serious sentence, they did not recommend a specific prison term.
Defense Arguments
Dugan’s attorneys argued that she had already faced significant consequences, including:
- Resigning from her judgeship.
- Public criticism.
- Threats against her and her family.
- Criminal prosecution.
They asked the court to impose no additional jail time beyond the brief period Dugan spent in federal custody following her arrest.
Political Response
The case became a point of political debate in Wisconsin.
Dugan resigned from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in January after Republican lawmakers discussed impeachment proceedings and criticized her actions.
In her resignation letter, she argued that the prosecution threatened judicial independence.
Following her conviction, Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany publicly called for Dugan to receive a prison sentence.
Supporters, including two Marquette University law professors and a Jesuit priest, described her as a dedicated public servant and urged the court not to impose incarceration.
What Happens Next
Dugan’s legal team has confirmed that it will appeal the felony obstruction conviction.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was deported in November after his arrest by ICE.
The case remains one of the most closely watched legal disputes involving a state judge and federal immigration enforcement in Wisconsin, highlighting ongoing debates over the responsibilities of judges, the authority of immigration officers, and the balance between courtroom administration and federal law.
