Reserve Judge Takes Over as Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Faces Federal Obstruction Charges

MILWAUKEE, Wis – (Civic Media) – Court cases that would have been before Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan will be handled by a reserve judge. Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley says the change starts Monday and it follows Dugan’s arrest by the FBI on federal obstruction charges Friday.

Dugan was taken into custody at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal immigration agents. The charges include concealing a person from discovery and arrest and obstructing federal government proceedings, each carrying a potential maximum sentence of six years in prison.

No one is above the law pic.twitter.com/TSrQ4GNMdA

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 26, 2025

Flores-Ruiz faced three misdemeanor battery/domestic abuse charges from a March 12th incident in Milwaukee and appeared before Dugan for a pretrial hearing April 18. Federal prosecutors allege Dugan deliberately helped him avoid ICE agents during the hearing. He was eventually chased down and arrested.

Dugan made a brief appearance in federal court Friday and was released on her own recognizance. Her defense team said she will vigorously contest the charges.

The arrest has sparked controversy amid ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local officials. Forward Latino and local leaders have planed a press conference Monday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to address concerns about attacks.