The Wisconsin judge arrested last month for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan faces charges for felony obstruction of a federal agency and concealing a person to help them avoid arrest, which is a misdemeanor.
The case stems from an incident in her courtroom and the arrest of previously deported Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18.
The indictment was announced around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday after a daylong hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph. The federal grand jury of 20 people reviewed evidence and listened to testimony regarding the allegations, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
The indictment is also viewed as a win by Trump administration officials, as activist judges continue to get more brazen in their efforts to block his aggressive deportation agenda.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, told Fox News the indictment sends a clear message to judges to “start doing your jobs and quit obstructing the fair implementation of justice in this country.”
Hawley called it outrageous and an egregious case of openly flouting the law, adding he hopes the case is prosecuted all the way through.
“Well, it’s a federal crime,” Hawley told Fox’s Laura Ingraham. “She committed a crime. And I don’t know about you, but I am tired of these judges all across the country acting like they are above the law.”
The two charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter, the Journal-Sentinel reports.
Dugan’s next court appearance is set for Thursday, May 15, when she is expected to enter a plea on the charges.
Federal authorities arrested Dugan on April 25 for allegedly helping a previously deported illegal immigrant—who was arrested for severely beating a man and hitting a woman—avoid being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Dugan was initially charged with concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction of an official proceeding, and the grand jury determined there was enough probable cause to continue the case, the New York Post reports.
Federal agents attempted to arrest Flores-Ruiz following his scheduled appearance in Dugan’s court on April 18. Flores-Ruiz was there for a pre-trial hearing related to three counts of battery, domestic abuse, and infliction of physical pain or injury.
The grand jury heard testimony that included statements from Flores-Ruiz’s attorney, who has since withdrawn from his case, and Dugan’s court clerk,
After the hearing ended, Dugan reportedly directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit out a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area where agents were waiting in order to help him avoid arrest, per the complaint.
Court documents indicate Dugan was alerted to the agents’ presence by her clerk. Dugan expressed visible anger over the agents’ arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers, according to an affidavit.
Dugan and another judge later approached members of the arrest team in the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”
Dugan demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. In court, she was heard saying “wait, come with me” and directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit out a back jury door typically used only by deputies, jurors, court staff and in-custody defendants, according to the affidavit.
Flores-Ruiz, who was free on a signature bond at the time, was apprehended by ICE agents outside the courthouse in a foot chase.
Flores-Ruiz is being held in federal custody at the Ozaukee County Jail. He is expected to have a new public defender named before his next court hearing Wednesday, May 14, the Journal-Sentinel reports.
