**Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Assisting Man to Evade Immigration Authorities**

Milwaukee, Wis. - On Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of aiding a man in evading immigration authorities, ensuring the continuation of the legal proceedings against her. This development intensifies the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and local jurisdictions pertaining to the administration's stringent immigration policies. Critics argue that the case against Dugan is a deliberate attempt to suppress judicial dissent against these policies.

Initially, prosecutors charged Dugan in April through a complaint for obstructing justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. In the federal system, charges can either be directly filed or presented to a grand jury for review. A grand jury examines such charges to determine if enough probable cause exists, thereby checking prosecutorial power. In Dugan’s situation, the grand jury concluded there was sufficient cause, resulting in an official indictment.

If convicted on both counts, Dugan faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison. In response to the indictment, her defense team issued a concise statement asserting her innocence and expressing her anticipation for court vindication. Dugan's plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The U.S. attorney's office in Milwaukee, represented by spokesperson Kenneth Gales, refrained from commenting on the indictment.

The circumstances of Dugan’s case bear similarities to a previous high-profile incident involving a Massachusetts judge during the Trump administration, who was accused of helping someone avoid immigration enforcement. That case, however, was ultimately dismissed.

Prosecutors allege that on April 18, Dugan, upon learning about the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, escorted him and his attorney out of her courtroom via a back jury door. Court records show Flores-Ruiz had re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2013 and faced three counts of misdemeanor domestic abuse charges in Milwaukee County filed in March.

Details from the affidavit indicate that Dugan was angered by the agents' arrival, describing the situation as "absurd" before retreating to her chambers. After a tense discussion with the agents, Dugan reportedly led them away from the courtroom to speak with the chief judge. Upon returning, she guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out through a restricted back door. Despite her efforts, federal agents apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse following a chase.

In late April, the state Supreme Court suspended Dugan, citing the need to maintain public trust in the judiciary, with a reserve judge appointed to temporarily take her place.