When Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant, was supposed to come before the judge on allegations of domestic abuse, prosecutors said the judge planned to assist him in avoiding an immigration detention.
According to a US Justice Department official, a Wisconsin judge was found guilty on Thursday of assisting a migrant in avoiding a scheduled immigration arrest outside her courtroom, which is a win for Donald Trump and his administration's immigration enforcement.
Hannah Dugan, a 66-year-old elected judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, was found guilty of hindering a federal proceeding and exonerated of a lesser charge that accused her of hiding someone from arrest, according to a Reuters story.
The Justice Department's instruction to prosecute cases of alleged ICE enforcement interference by local authorities and activists opposing Trump's push for mass deportations was the basis for the prosecution.
What accusations does Dugan face?
When Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was supposed to come before her on allegations of domestic abuse, the prosecution claimed that Dugan planned to assist him in avoiding an immigration detention. They said that she led the man and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a private exit while diverting federal officials.
In court, prosecutor Keith Alexander stated, "She was focused on orchestrating Flores-Ruiz's escape." "She was skilled at what she did. Nevertheless, she did it.
What did Dugan's attorneys say?
Dugan's attorneys had contended that she was according to a policy that required employees to notify a supervisor when ICE was present in the courthouse. They claimed that after two previous ICE arrests in the courtroom, the incident occurred at a period of uncertainty and bewilderment.
During the trial, Steven Biskupic, Dugan's attorney, told the jury, "All she did was send him out into the hallway with his lawyer."
According to Reuters, Dugan had entered a not guilty plea.
Prior to being elected as a county judge in 2016, she oversaw the local branch of Catholic Charities, which offers various services, including refugee resettlement programs.
Dugan diverted ICE agents, according to the prosecution.
After Flores Ruiz's hearing, plainclothes-clad agents from ICE and other agencies prepared to arrest him in a hallway outside Dugan's courtroom.
According to witness testimony in the case, when Dugan discovered that ICE was present, he furiously challenged the agents and led them to the chief judge's office. Prosecutors said that she then handled Flores-Ruiz's case in private and led him and his lawyer via a private "jury door."
After a short foot pursuit, Flores-Ruiz was detained outside the courthouse after passing via a public hallway.
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