A Wisconsin judge accused of assisting a Mexican immigrant in evading federal authorities was found guilty of obstruction by a jury on Thursday, in a win for President Donald Trump amid his immigration enforcement efforts. Federal prosecutors had charged Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan with obstruction, a felony, and with concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor, in April. While she was acquitted on the concealment charge, she could still face up to five years in prison for obstruction.
The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching their verdicts. The sentencing date has not been determined yet. The case sparked controversy over Trump’s immigration policies, with his administration labeling Dugan as an activist judge, while Democrats argued that the administration was targeting her to stifle judicial opposition to the immigration crackdown.
Following the verdict, Dugan and her legal team refrained from speaking to the press, expressing disappointment with the outcome. Her lead attorney, Steve Biskupic, expressed confusion over the split verdict given the similarities between the charges. Dugan, who was suspended from her position amid the controversy, did not testify during the trial.
U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel dismissed claims that the case was politically motivated and urged for a peaceful acceptance of the verdict. He emphasized the importance of courthouse arrests for safety and stated that the case was about a single incident, not a broader political battle. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commended the verdict, emphasizing that even judges are accountable under the law.
The case involved allegations that Dugan interfered with immigration authorities attempting to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, at the courthouse. Flores-Ruiz was subsequently deported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Prosecutors argued that Dugan’s actions were intended to aid Flores-Ruiz in evading arrest, while her defense maintained that she was following courthouse protocols and did not intend to obstruct the arrest.
Throughout the trial, audio recordings from Dugan’s courtroom were played, revealing her comments about taking responsibility for leading Flores-Ruiz out of the courthouse. A colleague of Dugan’s testified to being surprised by her actions, noting that judges should not assist defendants in evading arrest. The defense contended that Dugan’s intentions were in line with courthouse protocols and highlighted her character, with witnesses including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaking to her honesty.
Overall, the verdict marked a victory for the Trump administration in its efforts to enforce immigration policies and hold individuals accountable for obstructing law enforcement actions.