MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Plea negotiations are underway for Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County judge accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal agents as her trial looms. Newly appointed federal prosecutor Brad Schimel confirmed discussions are ongoing but acknowledged that Dugan's defense lawyers have yet to accept any proposals. A resolution via a plea agreement would be seen as a surprising concession from prosecutors amid a larger national debate sparked by President Trump's immigration policies.
According to court records, federal agents tracked down defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, originally from Mexico, who was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan on a state battery case. Dugan allegedly facilitated his exit through a private door after learning agents were present, allowing him to evade capture for a brief period before federal agents apprehended him following a foot chase. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has since confirmed that Flores-Ruiz was deported.
Dugan's defense insists she has committed no wrongdoing, preparing for a trial set for Dec. 15. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of up to six years in prison. Her indictment has exacerbated divisions over Trump's controversial immigration enforcement measures, which critics argue unjustly target judicial authority.
As the case unfolds, it has drawn broader attention to the intersection of local judiciary power and federal immigration law enforcement efforts, placing Dugan as a focal point in a contentious nationwide debate. In these tumultuous times, her situation serves as a flashpoint illustrating the complexities and challenges within the U.S. immigration system.
According to court records, federal agents tracked down defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, originally from Mexico, who was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan on a state battery case. Dugan allegedly facilitated his exit through a private door after learning agents were present, allowing him to evade capture for a brief period before federal agents apprehended him following a foot chase. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has since confirmed that Flores-Ruiz was deported.
Dugan's defense insists she has committed no wrongdoing, preparing for a trial set for Dec. 15. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of up to six years in prison. Her indictment has exacerbated divisions over Trump's controversial immigration enforcement measures, which critics argue unjustly target judicial authority.
As the case unfolds, it has drawn broader attention to the intersection of local judiciary power and federal immigration law enforcement efforts, placing Dugan as a focal point in a contentious nationwide debate. In these tumultuous times, her situation serves as a flashpoint illustrating the complexities and challenges within the U.S. immigration system.
