JUSTICE SERVED: A jury found Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents trying to serve a courthouse warrant.
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A jury has found Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents who were attempting to serve a lawful courthouse warrant, marking a dramatic and rare conviction of a sitting judge.
Dugan was arrested in April after prosecutors said she deliberately helped an illegal immigrant evade arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to trial testimony, Dugan became aware that ICE agents were inside the courthouse waiting to take the individual into custody and then assisted him and his attorney in exiting the building through a restricted back door.
Federal authorities argued that Dugan’s actions went beyond political disagreement with immigration enforcement and crossed into criminal obstruction. Jurors agreed, concluding that she knowingly interfered with federal agents carrying out their duties.
As a result of the conviction, Dugan now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison. The case has drawn national attention, with supporters calling the verdict accountability under the law, while critics argue it reflects broader tensions between local officials and federal immigration enforcement.[/read]