Wisconsin judge pleads not guilty to obstructing immigration agents

MILWAUKEE — A Wisconsin judge pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of obstructing federal agents seeking to detain an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan entered her plea during an arraignment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Dugan has been accused of confronting members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and falsely telling them they needed a judicial warrant to conduct an operation in her courtroom. She has also been accused of directing an undocumented immigrant and his lawyer to exit through a separate door to sidestep the ICE agents.

The judge was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday. Dugan was arrested by the FBI late last month after a criminal complaint alleged that she had helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exit her courtroom on April 18 when ICE agents showed up to arrest a man they said was an undocumented immigrant.

She was charged with obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.

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The judge faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines if found guilty.

Samira Puskar reported from Milwaukee, and Daniella Silva from New York City.