Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge helped illegal immigrant sneak out of court, complaint says
A preliminary hearing and arraignment is scheduled for May 15.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge Hannah Dugan is accused of helping an undocumented immigrant sneak out of her court through a juror door so he could evade arrest, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
The criminal complaint states that the jury door leads to a "non-public area of the courthouse."
The criminal complaint cites a witness who saw Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who is undocumented, sneak out the door.
"Judge DUGAN commanded Flores-Ruiz's attorney and the male to leave through a backdoor of the courtroom. Attorney B then saw Judge DUGAN escort Flores-Ruiz's attorney and the male through a non-public door near the courtroom's jury box. Shortly thereafter, Judge DUGAN came back to the courtroom and conducted hearings on that morning's docket," read the complaint.
"Later that morning, Attorney B realized that Flores-Ruiz's case had never been called and asked the court about it. Attorney B learned that Flores-Ruiz's case had been adjourned. This happened without Attorney B's knowledge or participation, even though Attorney B was present in court to handle Flores-Ruiz's case on behalf of the state, and even though victims were present in the courtroom," it also read.
Two federal agents approached the man outside the courthouse and a foot chase occurred.
"The agents pursued Flores-Ruiz for the entire length of the courthouse and ultimately apprehended him near the intersection of W. State Street and 10th Street. Flores-Ruiz was handcuffed and detained," the complaint read.
The FBI arrested Dugan on Friday and charged the judge with obstructing a proceeding before a U.S. federal agency, which could lead to a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine.
A preliminary hearing and arraignment is scheduled for May 15.