Pam Bondi Details Wisconsin Judge’s Actions Before Arrest: 'Can't Make This Up'
Attorney General outlines charges against Judge Hannah Dugan and highlights broader concerns over judicial misconduct
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi detailed the arrest of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who faces charges for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade arrest by federal immigration agents.
According to the criminal complaint, despite being informed of an administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores Ruiz, Judge Dugan escorted Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a private jury door leading to a nonpublic area.
A foot chase ensued through the courthouse, with agents eventually apprehending Ruiz near a downtown intersection.
Pam Bondi described the case as serious, stating that Ruiz had previously been deported in 2013, returned illegally, and was in court facing domestic violence charges after allegedly assaulting two individuals severely enough to require hospitalization.
Bondi emphasized that the victims were present in the courtroom and willing to cooperate when the judge allegedly intervened to facilitate Ruiz's escape.
Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions, explaining that the judge confronted immigration officers outside the courtroom, expressed anger over the arrest attempt, and then used a private exit to aid the defendant’s escape.
She said this conduct put law enforcement officers and the public at risk by triggering a public foot chase.
In a separate incident, Bondi also addressed the arrest of New Mexico Judge Joe Cano and his wife, accused of harboring a suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
The couple allegedly housed the gang member, provided him with assault rifles, and destroyed evidence, including smashing a gang member’s cellphone and discarding it in a dumpster.
The individual, identified by authorities as Ortega, was linked to violent imagery on his phone and gang-related tattoos.
Bondi stated that Judge Cano and his wife face charges of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence.
She emphasized that authorities found photos of decapitated victims on the gang member’s phone, and that the gang member was seen at a shooting range with weapons provided by the judge’s family.
In her remarks, Bondi stressed that no one, including judges, is above the law.
She reiterated the administration’s commitment to prosecuting anyone, including judicial officials, who obstructs federal law enforcement efforts or aids individuals illegally present in the country.
She described the judges’ actions as placing public safety at risk and reaffirmed the government's stance that criminal behavior, regardless of who commits it, would be fully prosecuted.
According to the criminal complaint, despite being informed of an administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores Ruiz, Judge Dugan escorted Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a private jury door leading to a nonpublic area.
A foot chase ensued through the courthouse, with agents eventually apprehending Ruiz near a downtown intersection.
Pam Bondi described the case as serious, stating that Ruiz had previously been deported in 2013, returned illegally, and was in court facing domestic violence charges after allegedly assaulting two individuals severely enough to require hospitalization.
Bondi emphasized that the victims were present in the courtroom and willing to cooperate when the judge allegedly intervened to facilitate Ruiz's escape.
Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions, explaining that the judge confronted immigration officers outside the courtroom, expressed anger over the arrest attempt, and then used a private exit to aid the defendant’s escape.
She said this conduct put law enforcement officers and the public at risk by triggering a public foot chase.
In a separate incident, Bondi also addressed the arrest of New Mexico Judge Joe Cano and his wife, accused of harboring a suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
The couple allegedly housed the gang member, provided him with assault rifles, and destroyed evidence, including smashing a gang member’s cellphone and discarding it in a dumpster.
The individual, identified by authorities as Ortega, was linked to violent imagery on his phone and gang-related tattoos.
Bondi stated that Judge Cano and his wife face charges of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence.
She emphasized that authorities found photos of decapitated victims on the gang member’s phone, and that the gang member was seen at a shooting range with weapons provided by the judge’s family.
In her remarks, Bondi stressed that no one, including judges, is above the law.
She reiterated the administration’s commitment to prosecuting anyone, including judicial officials, who obstructs federal law enforcement efforts or aids individuals illegally present in the country.
She described the judges’ actions as placing public safety at risk and reaffirmed the government's stance that criminal behavior, regardless of who commits it, would be fully prosecuted.
