A federal jury has found Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents during an attempt to serve a warrant at a courthouse earlier this year. The felony conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
Jurors reached the guilty verdict after approximately six hours of deliberation. Dugan was acquitted on a separate misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
Dugan was arrested following an incident on April 18 in which prosecutors said she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz avoid arrest by plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. According to prosecutors, Dugan learned ICE agents were present in the courthouse to serve a warrant on Flores-Ruiz and then assisted him and his attorney in exiting her courtroom through a back door.
In a statement following the verdict, Dugan’s defense team said, “While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in this matter.” The statement added that the defense plans to continue fighting the conviction and emphasized the importance of public support for Dugan’s legal defense as the case moves forward.
Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Brad Schimel responded to the verdict by urging calm and acceptance of the jury’s decision. He said Dugan “is certainly not evil nor is she a martyr for some greater cause,” adding, “It was a criminal case, like many that make their way through this courthouse every day, and we all must accept the verdict peacefully.”
Schimel also said prosecutors were not seeking to make an example of the judge. “This was necessary to hold Judge Dugan accountable in our assessment because of the action she took,” he said.
Following the verdict, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement criticizing Dugan’s conduct, saying she “betrayed her oath and the people she served.” He added that the jury’s decision sent a message that “nobody is above the law” and emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing federal immigration law.
Surveillance footage released by Milwaukee County during the case reportedly shows Dugan, wearing her judicial robes, confronting ICE agents in a courthouse hallway.
As a result of the conviction, Dugan is no longer eligible to hold public office under Wisconsin law. In April, she was suspended with pay by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. At the time, her annual salary was approximately $175,000.
It remains unclear whether the state Supreme Court will alter her employment status following the verdict, as Dugan’s defense team is expected to appeal the conviction.
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AS THEY SHOULD!!!!!! WELL DONE!!!!!!!