{"id":2521586,"date":"2025-12-15T22:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T03:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/milwaukee-judges-trial-for-aiding-an-illegal-immigrant-escape-begins\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T22:26:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T03:26:19","slug":"milwaukee-judges-trial-for-aiding-an-illegal-immigrant-escape-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/milwaukee-judges-trial-for-aiding-an-illegal-immigrant-escape-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"Milwaukee judge&#8217;s trial for aiding an illegal immigrant escape begins"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmilwaukee-judges-trial-for-aiding-an-illegal-immigrant-escape-begins%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2521586&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Teh trial of Milwaukee county Circuit judge Hannah Dugan began in federal court, where she faces two obstruction charges for allegedly helping an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-over-obstructing-ice-operations\/\" title=\"FBI ...s ... ... over obstructing ICE operations\">illegal immigrant evade arrest<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-to-nominate-texas-sheriff-to-lead-ice\/\" title=\"Biden to Nominate Texas Sheriff to Lead ICE\">federal immigration officers<\/a>. In April, Dugan is accused of allowing Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to leave the courthouse through a back door to avoid ICE agents waiting outside. Federal prosecutors presented audio of Dugan discussing the situation, including her statement that she would &#8220;get the heat&#8221; for her actions.The Department of Justice argued that Dugan unlawfully obstructed law enforcement,while her defense highlighted confusion over immigration arrest procedures at the courthouse. FBI Special Agent Erin Lucker testified about the investigation, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >including courtroom notices offering virtual hearings<\/a> for safety and details about ICE officers&#8217; presence. Dugan was suspended from her judicial duties following the charges, which carry up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted.The trial is ongoing, with a jury decision expected soon after its conclusion.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge Hannah Dugan&rsquo;s trial for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/comer-gives-clintons-last-chance-to-testify-in-epstein-inquiry\/\" title=\"Comer gives Clintons last chance to testify in Epstein inquiry\">illegal immigrant escape case begins<\/a> with FBI agent on the stand<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2424858\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The trial of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/milwaukee\/\">Milwaukee<\/a> County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan over charges she helped an illegal immigrant evade arrest by federal immigration officers began with federal prosecutors showing the jury audio of her claiming she would &ldquo;get the heat&rdquo; for her alleged actions.<\/p>\n<p>Dugan is facing two obstruction charges in federal court <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3391443\/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-obstructing-ice-operations\/\">over her actions in April<\/a>, when she allegedly allowed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal immigrant who appeared before her court, and his lawyer to exit her courtroom via a back door after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trial-for-judge-accused-of-helping-illegal-immigrant-evade-arrest-set-for-december\/\" title=\"... for judge accused of helping ... set for December\">federal immigration agents appeared<\/a> at the courthouse to arrest him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3918702\/hunter-biden-disbarment-connecticut\/\">Hunter Biden disbarred in Connecticut after admitting to attorney misconduct<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3918652\/appeals-court-delays-james-boasberg-contempt-inquiry-orders-briefing-court-authority\/\">Appeals court delays Boasberg contempt inquiry into 2026, orders briefing on court&rsquo;s authority<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3917946\/fbi-handling-brown-university-shooting-investigation-renews-scrutiny-kash-patel\/\">FBI&#8217;s handling of Brown University shooting investigation renews scrutiny of Kash Patel<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This courtroom sketch depicts Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan in court as jury selection in her trial begins Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wis. (Adele Tesnow via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The trial of the indicted state judge began Monday morning at a federal courthouse in Milwaukee, with Justice Department prosecutors using a recording of Dugan discussing federal immigration authorities outside her courtroom as part of their opening pitch to the jury.<\/p>\n<p>During opening arguments, DOJ lawyers played audio footage in which the judge and her court reporter can be heard discussing the presence of ICE officers outside her courtroom in the public hallway and whether to allow Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to leave the courtroom through a back door and a non-public hallway. Dugan allegedly told her court reporter she would show the illegal immigrant and his lawyer where to go, saying, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do it. I&rsquo;ll get the heat,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/live-story\/news\/local\/milwaukee\/2025\/12\/15\/hannah-dugan-trial-in-milwaukee-day-1-updates\/87734293007\/\">per<\/a> the <em>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>DOJ lawyers stressed in their opening statement that Dugan&rsquo;s actions were unlawful and amounted to creating an escape plan for the illegal immigrant to evade arrest by federal officers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The judicial robe the defendant wore that morning did not put her above the law,&rdquo; Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Alexander said, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>Dugan&rsquo;s lawyers stressed that the burden would be on prosecutors to prove Dugan unlawfully obstructed federal law enforcement, and they also discussed the confusion and uncertainty about immigration arrest procedures at the Milwaukee courthouse, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox6now.com\/news\/milwaukee-judge-dugan-trial-live-monday-121525\">according to<\/a> local Milwaukee news station WITI.<\/p>\n<p>The first witness called by the DOJ was FBI Special Agent Erin Lucker, who Justice Department lawyers questioned about the federal investigation into Dugan for her alleged actions in April.<\/p>\n<p>Lucker testified about a notice Dugan had placed on her courtroom door, which stated that people before her court could request a virtual hearing if they felt unsafe coming to the courthouse.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; A sign is posted outside of County Judge Hannah Dugan&rsquo;s courtroom at the Milwaukee County courthouse, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo\/Andy Manis, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>During Lucker&rsquo;s testimony, the jury viewed security footage from the courthouse, but not from inside Dugan&rsquo;s courtroom, and audio recordings from Dugan&rsquo;s courtroom.<\/p>\n<p>Dugan&rsquo;s lawyers questioned Lucker about ICE arrest policies, asking if the officers present at the courthouse that day were wearing any clothing that identified them as law enforcement. Lucker testified that while the officers were not wearing any identifying clothing, because they were armed, they would have had to check in and notify the courthouse ahead of time, per WITI.<\/p>\n<p>The trial begins days after 14 jurors, two of whom were alternates, were selected late last week. On Monday, one of the jurors called in sick, leaving 13 jurors, including one alternate, with U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman instructing the jurors to &ldquo;please try and stay healthy during the trial,&rdquo; according to the <em>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3914725\/jury-selected-for-trial-of-judge-hannah-dugan-in-illegal-immigrant-escape-case\/\">JURY SELECTED FOR TRIAL OF JUDGE HANNAH DUGAN IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ESCAPE CASE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dugan was suspended from her duties as a Milwaukee County circuit judge by the Wisconsin Supreme Court shortly after she was federally charged earlier this year.&nbsp;Dugan&rsquo;s charges have a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted.<\/p>\n<p>The trial is expected to continue through at least the end of the week, with a decision from the jury on the charges filed against Dugan expected shortly after the trial concludes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge Hannah Dugan&#8217;s trial starts with FBI agent testimony<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2521587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25345684475844.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[68879,32417,53534,68878,7674],"class_list":["post-2521586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-aiding-escape","tag-court-case","tag-illegal-immigrant-2","tag-judge-trial","tag-milwaukee"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25345684475844.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2521586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2521586"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2521586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2521590,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2521586\/revisions\/2521590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2521587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2521586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2521586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2521586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}