A federal judge has denied a former Wisconsin state judge’s attempt to overturn her felony conviction stemming from her role in helping an illegal immigrant evade federal immigration agents inside a courthouse.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman issued the ruling on April 6, rejecting a motion filed by Hannah C. Dugan that sought either an acquittal or a new trial.
A federal jury had found Dugan guilty in December on charges of obstructing a federal proceeding.
Judge Adelman determined that federal prosecutors presented sufficient evidence at trial to support the jury’s verdict, the Post Millenial’s Andy Ngo reported.
The court found that Dugan took deliberate steps to interfere with federal officials who were attempting to carry out an administrative arrest connected to immigration removal proceedings.
Adelman also dismissed Dugan’s claims that the jury received improper instructions during the trial. The court further rejected her argument that the federal obstruction statute had been applied too broadly to her conduct.
Dugan, a former Milwaukee County judge, had been indicted following events that took place on April 18, 2025, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
On that date, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with other federal agencies, arrived at the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national.
Flores-Ruiz was the subject of an administrative immigration warrant and carried a prior removal order. Federal officials described him as a violent suspect.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Dugan became aware of the agents’ presence and confronted them in a public hallway, an action prosecutors argued created a diversion.
Dugan then directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit the building through a restricted-access door that is reserved for jurors.
Flores-Ruiz attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by federal agents outside the courthouse following a chase.
Ngo noted that at trial, Dugan’s defense team argued that her conduct fell within the scope of her authority as a sitting judge and that she was entitled to immunity for official acts performed in her judicial capacity.
The court rejected that argument entirely.
Flores-Ruiz was subsequently deported in November 2025.
Dugan has not yet been sentenced but faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in federal prison, says Ngo.
