Former Milwaukee Judge Convicted for Helping Illegal Alien Evade ICE

Dugan's bid to overturn guilty verdict for obstruction and concealing alien charges denied by federal judge

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:14am

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An extreme close-up of a pair of metal handcuffs against a completely dark background, the harsh flash illuminating the textured surface and creating dramatic shadows, conceptually representing the ethical dilemmas faced by judges in the criminal justice system.A stark, gritty image of the tools of law enforcement, reflecting the complex ethical challenges facing judges caught between upholding the law and their personal beliefs.Today in Milwaukee

A former Milwaukee Circuit Judge, Hannah Dugan, was convicted in December 2025 for obstructing justice and concealing an illegal alien, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, from being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Dugan's defense team recently had their motion to overturn the guilty verdict denied by a federal judge, who ruled there is no general criminal immunity for judges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the ethical dilemmas judges can face when their personal beliefs conflict with their professional duties. It raises questions about the boundaries of judicial independence and the extent to which judges can shield individuals from law enforcement.

The details

In April 2025, Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported illegal alien, appeared before Judge Dugan on misdemeanor battery charges. Aware that ICE agents were waiting outside the courtroom to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, Dugan confronted the agents and directed them to wait in the chief judge's office. She then helped Flores-Ruiz and his attorney escape through a discreet hallway, though ICE agents were still able to capture the fleeing individual. Dugan was later indicted and found guilty by a jury of obstruction and concealing alien charges.

  • On April 18, 2025, Flores-Ruiz appeared before Judge Dugan on misdemeanor battery charges.
  • In December 2025, Dugan was found guilty by a jury of obstruction and concealing alien charges.
  • On January 3, 2026, Dugan resigned from the bench weeks after the guilty verdict.
  • On April 6, 2026, a federal judge denied Dugan's motion to overturn the guilty verdict.

The players

Hannah Dugan

A former Milwaukee Circuit Judge who was convicted in 2025 for obstructing justice and concealing an illegal alien from ICE agents.

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

A 31-year-old previously deported illegal alien who appeared before Judge Dugan on misdemeanor battery charges in 2025.

Lynn Adelman

The U.S. District Judge who denied Dugan's motion to overturn her guilty verdict, ruling that there is no general criminal immunity for judges.

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What they’re saying

“After surveying the caselaw, I concluded that there is no general rule of criminal immunity for judges, nor was there a basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment described conduct that could be considered 'part of a judge's job.'”

— Lynn Adelman, U.S. District Judge

What’s next

Dugan's legal team has indicated they plan to appeal the ruling to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex ethical dilemmas judges can face when their personal beliefs conflict with their professional duties, as well as the ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. It raises important questions about the boundaries of judicial independence and the extent to which judges can shield individuals from law enforcement.