Federal agents were on the hunt for a suspect but found themselves navigating a convoluted situation within a courthouse.
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The FBI alleges that Judge Hannah Dugan intentionally misdirected them away from the undocumented immigrant they were attempting to apprehend. Eduardo Flores Ruiz, the individual she purportedly assisted, did not remain at large for long—he has since been taken into custody. Dugan faces obstruction charges after the incident at the courthouse backfired.
According to the criminal complaint, Judge Dugan, a 15-year veteran of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, was aware that ICE agents were seeking Ruiz, who had been previously deported and was facing a felony identity theft charge. Instead of cooperating, Dugan allegedly took specific actions to mislead the agents and aid in Ruiz's escape.
The dramatic events unfolded on June 23 when ICE agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to detain Ruiz, who was scheduled for a hearing regarding the identity theft charge. However, when the agents entered the courtroom, Judge Dugan purportedly instructed her staff to inform them that Ruiz was not present, despite her knowledge that he was in the building. Unaware of the judge's alleged misconduct, the agents began to search the courthouse, yielding no results. Meanwhile, Ruiz managed to leave the building unnoticed, thanks to Dugan's alleged intervention. The FBI quickly picked up on the situation and soon uncovered the judge's involvement in the escape. Security footage and staff interviews revealed that Dugan had indeed provided false information to the ICE agents, while Ruiz had been hiding in her chambers during the search. Ruiz was ultimately arrested on July 10, and Judge Dugan was taken into custody on July 12. She now faces obstruction of justice charges and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. The event has sent shockwaves through the legal community, raising questions about how a respected judge could engage in such alleged misconduct. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm stated, "It's a betrayal of the public's trust. Judge Dugan's actions undermine the integrity of our justice system and endanger the safety of our community." Judge Dugan's attorney, Michael Levine, has denied the allegations, asserting that his client is innocent and that the charges are "baseless and politically motivated." However, the evidence against her continues to accumulate, leaving the public to wonder how this high-profile case will develop. This incident has ignited a heated debate regarding the role of judges in immigration matters. Some argue that judges have a moral obligation to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation, while others maintain that they must adhere to the law and cooperate with federal authorities. As the legal community contemplates the repercussions of Judge Dugan's purported actions, it is evident that the fallout from her decisions will be significant, testing the integrity of the justice system.
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