Federal judge denies former judge's bid to toss immigrant escape case conviction
Former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was denied her last-ditch effort to toss her conviction on obstruction charges for helping an illegal immigrant evade arrest Tuesday.
TL;DR
- Former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan's attempt to dismiss her obstruction conviction was denied.
- The conviction stems from her actions in helping an illegal immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade arrest in April 2025.
- U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman ruled that Dugan failed to meet the criteria for reconsideration of the jury's verdict.
- Adelman distinguished the case from a Fourth Circuit ruling cited by the defense, citing different factual contexts.
- The ruling suggests the ICE arrest and subsequent actions constituted a "pending proceeding" under the law.
- Dugan's sentencing, previously scheduled for June 3, was postponed and will likely be rescheduled.
- The conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years, but Dugan is unlikely to receive the maximum due to no prior criminal record.
- Dugan's legal team plans to appeal the conviction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- The Department of Justice views this ruling as a significant win, reinforcing the principle that "no one is above the law."