Milwaukee judge found guilty of felony obstruction in helping undocumented man evade arrest
A Wisconsin judge accused of concealing an undocumented man to prevent his arrest by immigration authorities was found guilty of felony obstruction, according to ABC Milwaukee affiliate WISN, which was in the courtroom for the trial.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was charged in a two-count federal indictment that alleges she obstructed official Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings and knowingly concealed the man from immigration authorities at a courthouse in April.
Dugan was found guilty of obstructing federal agents and not guilty of concealing an undocumented immigrant from arrest during the courthouse incident.
The jury reached the mixed verdict after deliberating for approximately six hours on Thursday, according to WISN.
Dugan, who pleaded not guilty, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The judge has not yet set a sentencing date.
One of Dugan's attorneys, Steve Biskupic, said they are "obviously disappointed" in the outcome. The mixed verdict is "the big thing from the defense perspective," he told reporters Thursday night.
"The same elements of count one are in count two. In count two -- how can you find guilty there and not guilty on the first," Biskupic said. "But that's why we asked for a post-trial briefing."
"The case is a long way from over," he added.
According to federal prosecutors, Dugan encountered federal agents who were at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court on April 18 to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was appearing in her courtroom on a battery charge.
Prosecutors say that after speaking to the agents, Dugan directed them to the chief judge's office down the hall and then sent Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a non-public door in an alleged attempt to help him evade arrest on immigration violations.
Flores-Ruiz was ultimately captured outside the court building after a brief foot chase.
During closing arguments on Thursday, the government portrayed Dugan as a frustrated and angry judge and asked the jurors to hold her accountable for the alleged criminal conduct, according to ABC Milwaukee affiliate WISN.
The defense, meanwhile, argued that the case is an "unjust prosecution" that is "riddled with doubts" and based on "assumptions," according to WISN. The defense also questioned the veracity of the audio evidence, according to WISN.
During the nearly weeklong trial, prosecutors produced transcripts and audio recordings that they said showed Dugan telling her court reporter that she would "get the heat" for showing Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer the side exit, WISN reported.
Dugan did not testify during the trial.
The defense witnesses included former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was not at the courthouse that day but testified as a character witness, according to WISN.
After the defense rested on Thursday, Judge Lynn Adelman denied their request to dismiss the case, according to WISN.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan in the wake of her arrest, stating in an order that it was "in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties."
Flores-Ruiz, a native of Mexico, was charged with unlawful reentry into the U.S. He was sentenced to time served earlier this month after pleading guilty to the charge, federal court records show. DHS said last month he had been deported.
