Former Judge Hannah Dugan to be sentenced for blocking ICE arrest

by · UPI

July 8 (UPI) -- Former Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday for obstruction for trying to hide an undocumented man from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse.

She could be sentenced to 15 to 21 months in prison at her hearing set for 11:15 a.m. CDT, and prosecutors have said they want a "serious and meaningful sentence." Dugan's attorneys are asking for time served.

Dugan, 66, was arrested by the FBI in April 2025. She resigned from the bench on Jan. 3.

Dugan plans to appeal, but she resigned amid impeachment threats by Wisconsin Assembly Republicans.

"The Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench in Milwaukee County Branch 31 rather than have the fate of that court rest in a partisan fight in the state legislature," she said in her resignation letter.

Prosecutors said Dugan directed agents away from her court, then led the undocumented man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his attorney through a private jury door. Agents arrested Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after the agents chased him on foot.

Dugan is expected to speak at her sentencing.

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News anchors are seen outside the Supreme Court of the United States as the court releases their final opinions before summer recess on Tuesday. The court upheld birthright citizenship and also state laws banning transgender women and girls from playing on school athletic teams. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

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