On Friday, August 22, 2025, AP News reported that body camera footage from Milwaukee police captured Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan denying allegations that she hid an immigrant wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her courtroom. The footage, released to the Associated Press by Milwaukee police, was recorded at Dugan’s home on April 22, three days before her arrest.

Dugan faces charges of concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor, and obstruction, a felony, following an incident on April 18. Prosecutors allege that Dugan escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, and his attorney out of her courtroom through a side door after learning ICE agents were present to arrest him for lacking permanent legal status in the United States.

The side door, approximately 12 feet from the main entrance, is typically used by deputies, jurors, court staff, and in-custody defendants, according to an FBI affidavit. The affidavit also states that witnesses heard Dugan say something like “wait, come with me” before leading Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom.

In the body camera footage, Dugan told officers she was unaware of any criminal investigation into her actions at the time of the recording. She had called the police to her home after discovering a flyer from an anti-government group at her residence, her mother’s, and her sister’s homes. The flyer contained a religious message about pronouncing God’s name and claims that Wisconsin residents can legally carry concealed knives.

During her conversation with police, Dugan addressed media reports suggesting she hid Flores-Ruiz, calling the allegations “all lies.” She stated she was unaware of his immigration status and denied giving him special treatment. “I don’t know if he’s an illegal immigrant, which is what they’re claiming,” she said, adding that she is not supposed to know defendants’ immigration statuses in her courtroom.

Dugan also denied hiding Flores-Ruiz in her chambers or the jury room, explaining that she directed him to leave through the back door, a practice she said she employs when circumstances warrant it.

Dugan further told officers she directed ICE agents to the courthouse’s administrative offices, stating, “What happened after that is their business.”

ICE agents apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase. Dugan remarked to police, “We live in very difficult times,” acknowledging the tense climate surrounding the incident.

Dugan has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is seeking to have them dismissed, arguing that her actions were part of managing her courtroom and that she is protected by legal immunity for official judicial acts. Her defense attorneys issued a statement asserting that her comments to police, made before she knew of the investigation, demonstrate she treated Flores-Ruiz’s misdemeanor case like any other.

If convicted on both charges, Dugan faces up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine.

 

 

Source: AP News