Milwaukee County judge arrested; Mexican national in federal custody
Who is judge accused of helping avoid ICE?
A Mexican national, who federal prosecutors accuse a judge of helping avoid immigration enforcement at the Milwaukee courthouse, is in federal custody.
MILWAUKEE - A Mexican national, who federal prosecutors say a judge helped avoid immigration enforcement at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, is now in federal custody. Here's what we know.
Milwaukee County charges
The backstory:
Milwaukee County prosecutors said charges against 29-year-old Eduardo Flores Ruiz stem from a fight over loud music on March 12.
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Court documents said Flores Ruiz hit a man 30 times, knocked the man to the ground and grabbed his neck. He's also accused of hitting a woman.
Flores Ruiz was charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery and appeared in court on April 18. That's when federal court documents say Judge Hannah Dugan helped the man avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
FBI arrests Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan; accused of obstructing ICE arrest
A battle over immigration enforcement is boiling over after a Milwaukee County judge is charged with federal crimes. Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on Friday, April 25, 2025 by federal agents.
Immigration case
Dig deeper:
Federal agents eventually caught up with Flores Ruiz outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse and took him into custody.
Flores Ruiz is an undocumented man from Mexico. Federal court filings said he was ordered to leave the U.S. in 2023 and was never granted permission to return.
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In federal court on Thursday, Flores Ruiz's attorney said the 29-year-old ran away from agents because he was scared and his instincts took over. FOX6 News knocked on the door of Flores Ruiz's listed address on Friday but did not get an answer.
What's next:
A federal judge ultimately ordered Flores Ruiz to be detained until his next court date. He is due back in federal court for a plea hearing on May 8.
The Source: Information in this report is from federal court documents and the Wisconsin Circuit Court.