Full Breakdown
Judge Upholds Former Wisconsin Judge’s Obstruction Conviction
6/17/2026, 6:47:48 AM
Conviction Upheld: Core Facts
On April 18, 2025 ICE agents entered the Milwaukee County courthouse to arrest undocumented Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was scheduled for a battery hearing before Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan, 67, told the agents their administrative warrant was insufficient, redirected them, and led Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a private jury door. Agents later caught Flores-Ruiz in a hallway and arrested him; he was deported in November 2025. A week later FBI agents arrested Dugan. A jury convicted Dugan of obstruction on Dec. 19, 2025. In June 2026 Judge Lynn Adelman denied her motion to overturn the conviction and postponed sentencing. The obstruction charge carries a maximum five-year term, though guidelines usually recommend probation for first-time, non-violent offenders.
Context of the Immigration Crackdown
The case occurred during President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, which emphasized enforcement against undocumented residents. Federal authorities have traditionally avoided ICE arrests at courthouses to prevent discouraging immigrant participation in the legal system. The Justice Department presented Dugan’s prosecution as a test of the administration’s policy; critics argue it departs from longstanding practice and targets a judge for defying a high-profile raid.
Official Statements & Responses
The Justice Department said the conviction shows that “no one is above the law,” a view echoed by FBI Director Kash Patel. Dugan’s lawyers responded that “the court’s decision is wrong” and cited the Fourth Circuit’s reversal of United States v. Hernandez. Judge Adelman noted ICE’s authority to issue removal warrants and the targeted nature of the operation satisfied the definition of a pending proceeding.
Criticism & Opposition
Activists argue Dugan’s prosecution was politically motivated, claiming the Trump administration singled her out for defying a high-profile raid. Republican state lawmakers called for her impeachment, labeling her an “activist judge” who helped an illegal immigrant. Critics note prior administrations generally avoided ICE arrests at courthouses, suggesting the case breaks with established practice.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute hinges on whether ICE’s attempt to arrest Flores-Ruiz qualifies as a “pending proceeding” under 18 U.S.C. 1512. Dugan’s lawyers cite the Fourth Circuit’s reversal of United States v. Hernandez, where an ICE arrest was not a pending proceeding. Judge Adelman rejected that analogy, emphasizing the targeted operation and ICE’s removal-warrant authority. The conviction remains unsentenced, and no appellate ruling on the pending-proceeding issue has been issued.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The court’s decision is wrong.” — Dugan’s legal defense team
- “Defendant argues that ICE was acting as a law enforcement agency here.” — U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman
- “no one is above the law,” — FBI Director Kash Patel
- “get the heat” — Hannah Dugan, to court reporter
What’s Next
Dugan’s attorneys intend to appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Sentencing remains pending, with Judge Adelman yet to set a new date. The case is likely to be cited in future disputes over obstruction statutes applied to immigration enforcement.
