Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge, was arrested by the FBI on Friday, charged with obstructing a federal immigration operation.
The arrest, announced by FBI Director Kash Patel in a now-deleted social media post, stemmed from an incident on April 18 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Authorities allege Dugan interfered with the arrest of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, by federal agents.
Dugan, 49, faces two federal felony counts: obstruction and concealing an individual. The FBI claims she knowingly disrupted the operation, though specific details of her actions remain undisclosed.
Dugan was taken into custody at the courthouse around 8 a.m. and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries later that morning.
She was released on her own recognizance pending further proceedings.
Her attorney has not issued a public statement. The arrest has sparked debate in Milwaukee’s legal community, with some questioning the FBI’s actions and others emphasizing judicial accountability.
Dugan, elected to the bench in 2016, has a history of progressive rulings. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it progresses.