On April 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman upheld former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s December 2025 felony obstruction conviction in a 39-page order. Dugan was found guilty of helping illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE agents in her courtroom in April 2025 by escorting him and his attorney out a restricted jury door during a domestic violence hearing, where ICE arrested him outside anyway.
Dugan resigned amid impeachment threats. Adelman rejected her claims of judicial immunity and flawed jury instructions. Sentencing is set for June; her team plans a 7th Circuit appeal. The case highlights tensions over local judges interfering with federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
In an April 6, 2026 order, Judge Lynn Adelman stated, “In any event, defendant fails to show that my response to the jury’s second question was wrong,” adding later that the defense “fails to demonstrate that she was prejudiced by the one I gave.”
However, Dugan’s legal team claimed, “We continue to maintain that Hannah Dugan acted lawfully and within her independent authority as a judge. The inconsistent jury verdicts demonstrate that the trial proceedings were flawed, and we plan to appeal.”
Reacting to the news, a viral conservative post read, “She helped an illegal SCURRY out the back door, but security cameras captured the whole thing. There’s no running from this one.” And: “GOOD! LOCK UP the traitor 🔥”
“🚨 BOOM: Court just REJECTED disgraced leftist Judge Hannah Dugan’s appeal, her felony conviction for helping an illegal alien dodge DHS agents and skip deportation is OFFICIALLY UPHELD. PUT HER IN PRISON!” another user stated.
As we reported in the American Tribune, the DOJ released a criminal complaint in April of 2025. “Upon learning of the agents’ presence in the hallway, Judge Dugan allegedly confronted and ordered federal agents to leave the courthouse,’ the document explained.
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Additionaly, the complaint noted, “After being made aware of a valid immigration arrest warrant, Judge Dugan told agents that they needed a judicial warrant and demanded that they go to the Chief Judge’s office.”
The DOJ said, “Once the agents were no longer in the vicinity of her courtroom, Judge Dugan allegedly elected not to conduct a hearing on Flores-Ruiz’s criminal case, despite the fact that victims of his offense were present, and instead personally escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted ‘jury door’ exit not typically used by defendants or attorneys.”
Then, after the December 18, 2025, guilty verdict, Dugan’s Defense Team claimed, “While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in this matter.”
“We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning. This trial required considerable resources to prepare for and public support for Judge Dugan’s defense fund is critical as we prepare for the next phase of this defense,” the cowardly lawyers alleged.
Reacting to the initial verdict, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, Today, a federal jury of her peers found her guilty and sent a clear message: the American people respect law and order. Nobody is above the law. This Department will not tolerate obstruction, will enforce federal immigration law, and will hold criminals to account – even those who wear robes. Thank you to the men and women who keep us safe. We will always protect you.”