The Wisconsin judge indicted for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade authorities is seen confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shortly before directing the migrant toward a private exit out of the court, newly released video footage appears to show.
Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is seen in her black robes speaking to federal agents who were reportedly there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing three charges of domestic battery.
The video, released by Milwaukee County through an open records request, is part of the evidence in the case against Dugan, who prosecutors say obstructed a federal investigation by concealing Flores-Ruiz and allowing him to leave the courtroom through a different door after sending the ICE agents to speak to the chief judge.
In the footage from April 18, the ICE agents are seen going down a hallway after being directed through a door by Judge Dugan.
These movements show Dugan trying to distract the agents’ attention as they came to arrest Flores-Ruiz, prosecutors claim.
The video also shows Flores-Ruiz and his attorney going through a restricted exit usually used by jurors shortly after the ICE agents leave.
One federal agent follows Flores-Ruiz as he goes into an elevator and later exits the courthouse, the video shows.
Flores-Ruiz is later seen running north for almost a block before being caught by ICE agents.
Judge Dugan was arrested one week later, according to a criminal complaint, and indicted on May 13 after a federal grand jury found probable cause to move the case forward.
Her attorneys filed a motion to dismiss, citing judicial immunity for her official acts.
On May 15, she pleaded not guilty to the charges and is due to appear in federal court on July 9 for a pretrial hearing.
Her jury trial is set for July 21, court records show.
Flores-Ruiz remains in federal custody on immigration charges while his domestic violence case progresses through Milwaukee County Court.
He faces federal charges for allegedly returning to the US illegally after he was deported in 2013, prosecutors claim.
Flores-Ruiz pleaded not guilty to those charges earlier this month and is due back in federal court on June 24 at 3:30 p.m. for a final pretrial conference, court records show.
A status conference for his battery and domestic abuse charges is set for June 18, court records show.
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