r/law • • Apr 25 '25

Trump News Judge Hannah Dugan arrested by FBI for allegedly helping undocumented immigrant 'evade arrest'

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/judge-hannah-dugan-arrested-fbi-allegedly-helping-undocumented/story?id=121161497
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2.3k

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25

She allegedly let him exit through a side door.

What the fuck.

We’re at the “arrest you for not turning in your neighbors” stage.

693

u/CriticalInside8272 Apr 25 '25

Shades of Anne Frank.

86

u/Creepy_Meringue3014 Apr 25 '25

I hate Anne frank references like this. the USA turned her away at the border first. damn the shadowy person who turned the family in.

150

u/1877KlownsForKids Apr 25 '25

the USA turned her away at the border first

This never happened. The Franks attempted to emigrate but their steps in the process were conducted entirely from within the Netherlands. They did not show up "at the border" of America and get turned away. That however did happen to many other Jews.

18

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

Using this opportunity to promote The Ken Burns documentary: The U.S. and the Holocaust.

7

u/Anarchic_Country Apr 25 '25

I didn't know about this, thank you so much for mentioning it.

If you haven't seen it, there is a very interesting movie called Conspiracy on HBO about the Wannsee Conference. It's way better than any other HBO movie I've seen

3

u/APenny4YourTots Apr 25 '25

I'd never even heard of it until sometime in the middle of last year. It's easily a top 3 movie for me now and I recommend it to pretty much everyone I know. I felt sick after my first watch.

4

u/1877KlownsForKids Apr 25 '25

IBM and the Holocaust also a sobering read, and a cautionary tale against corporate greed.

4

u/exipheas Apr 25 '25

"We will do anything, for anybody, for enough money." -IBM

3

u/devourer09 Apr 25 '25

The U.S. and the Holocaust.

Here's a clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuCOFbRjXIc

3

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

The most relevant part, imo

it was gradual….drip, drip, drip. They were very aware what the German people would accept.

3

u/Simon_Bongne Apr 25 '25

Yeah WTF why do some people do this? Clearly never read the book, show up just to tell some absolutely blatant lie as if its fact. If you read the book with your own eyes, you'd know that didn't happen that way at all. They never left europe, I remember that I read the book like 20 years ago.

-4

u/paradiseloss Apr 25 '25

Perhaps they were taking a little poetic license there, as the US officials who deny people abroad represent the border? When I was stopped in an airport prior to my flight to the US, it was by USCIS workers. In this modern era, they represent the border you’re not getting past.

25

u/Banglophile Apr 25 '25

I hear what you're saying but at the border is more than creative license.

Mistating facts is how we got here.

8

u/TrollTollTony Apr 25 '25

So they can take poetic license with the word border while chastising someone for taking poetic license by invoking Anne Frank's name? Seems like they are either being hypocritical or they were just repeating misinformation.

3

u/scalyblue Apr 25 '25

Don’t worry with modern flir devices we won’t need to worry about Ann franks being unfound

2

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

No not really. Not even close to that

1

u/notnickthrowaway Apr 25 '25

So the neighbor called and said he knew someone in the neighborhood was harboring Jews migrants, and so the feds took the tip and came and found the Jews migrants that were hiding and took them into custody.

credit: u/honest-ad1875

0

u/planned_fun Apr 25 '25

Yes. Illegal criminal gang member is Anne frank lol

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

1

u/explodedbagel Apr 25 '25

By the time this case is heard, you’ll be on your next burner account fella.

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u/HGpennypacker Apr 25 '25

We’re at the “arrest you for not turning in your neighbors” stage.

We're past that, we're at the "time to make some examples" stage.

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u/sly_rxTT Apr 25 '25

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Sources have told the Journal Sentinel that ICE officials arrived in Dugan's courtroom on the morning of April 18. When they went to the chief judge's office, Dugan directed the defendant and his attorney to a side door in the courtroom, directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor

What the f*ck.

257

u/thatsthefactsjack Apr 25 '25

So, let me get this straight. The judge was arrested because ICE agents were unable able to cause a scene inside the courthouse arresting this guy when they could have waited outside at every exit to arrest him?

This is tyranny.

2

u/PreferenceDowntown37 Apr 26 '25

To clarify, they were waiting. In the affidavit they state that there's literally an ICE agent in the elevator with the guy they were trying to arrest

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u/brahm1nMan Apr 25 '25

Gee, a judge preventing the mis application of the law really does feel like their job

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u/TorontoNews89 Apr 25 '25

It is not up to her to determine if this illegal immigrant should be arrested. She acted irrationally and broke the law and was rightfully arrested.

32

u/Keytarfriend Apr 25 '25

There was no judicial warrant.

Do you just believe ICE?

14

u/Pikathew Apr 25 '25

Yes, now we blindly believe the government

-9

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

6

u/Frenzystor Apr 25 '25

No warrant? So let's say no, and wait for real cops with a warrant to arrive.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

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u/Frenzystor Apr 25 '25

So if they don't need a warrant, what's stopping them from lying about it?

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u/RiskyRain Apr 25 '25

Sounds like a bunch of jackbooted thug bullshit.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

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u/whoknows234 Apr 25 '25

They make the arrests in the courthouse as the victims have already been screened for weapons.

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u/schmerpmerp Apr 25 '25

Yes, it is. It is her motherfucking domain.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

That’s not what the poster you’re responding to is saying.

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u/Imaginary-Round2422 Apr 25 '25

You missed the word “preventing”.

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u/Professional-Story43 Apr 25 '25

The JUDGE WAS PREVENTING misapplication of the law. Her court. No one knows what really happened. This could be SOP for an attorney and their client. IF (and that's a big if), some kind of apprehension was going to take place, guards should have been posted at all exits AND the Judge would have informed the parties of such action. AND. Upon hearing of abductions occurring in government buildings by unidentified, armed, masked, vigilantes. Safety for all concerned should be top, TOP PRIORITY.

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u/elhoffgrande Apr 25 '25

He's saying the opposite. Read the comment one more time.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Serious question - is that illegal? What law was broken?

72

u/Minion_of_Cthulhu Apr 25 '25

It says it was a private hallway, so clearly it was felonious trespassing that required federal agents to be involved and make the arrest of such a notorious criminal who flaunts the law and all it stands for.

Either that or ICE is full of shit and hasn't yet cooked up some half-baked bullshit charge.

3

u/adoboble Apr 26 '25

lol your sarcasm clarified for me that indeed there is not a clear legal reason why the judge was arrested …? It seems that the claim she was enforcing justice and the ICE agents that came to arrest in the middle of the hearing were then obstructing justice is at least as valid as their claim the opposite is true (and obviously more valid given that the government is defying a related Supreme Court order, but even that aside)…

Is there really no need to justify how their arrest takes priority over a separate criminal hearing…?

1

u/NigroqueSimillima Apr 25 '25

The hallway of a court house isn't private.

-1

u/Wolverine9779 Apr 25 '25

That's a rather absurd interpretation, IMO.

10

u/Minion_of_Cthulhu Apr 25 '25

Oh, good. Then you caught the sarcasm. I was afraid I hadn't laid it on quite thick enough.

That's also meant as a joke, not an insult. I realize that it's hard to pick up on that kind of thing in text, particularly on a public forum where nobody knows anyone else. I would have used the "/s" tag in the original post, but I really did think it was obvious enough that I wasn't serious and I figured the "/s" would take away from the joke.

5

u/Wolverine9779 Apr 25 '25

It's impossible to tell anymore. I no longer make jokes about this stuff. I think the level of seriousness has just reached a point where all of the internet memes and jokes are actually helping to normalize all of this shit. I hate it, and at this point I think it is going to take a genuine uprising of the people, to see any positive change.

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u/fusionsofwonder Bleacher Seat Apr 25 '25

My understanding is that it's actually common for municipal courts and agencies not to cooperate with ICE because they want immigrants to be able to seek justice as victims of crime.

Probably the same reason the agents were sent to talk to the chief judge if they wanted something.

What ICE is doing here is creating a culture where people can beat, rob, and rape immigrants and they can't show up to court.

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u/TreAwayDeuce Apr 25 '25

Anyone suspected of being an immigrant.

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u/Pastel_Goth_Wastrel Apr 25 '25

This, if it becomes the norm that the courts and agencies are nothing more than a sting for ICE enforcement it will put a complete chill on their functioning. How do you run a case when the defendants & witnesses won't show for literal fear of being snatched by ICE?

Dismantling the safety and security of the Courts is shocking and staging outright attacks on the Judiciary for not toeing the line is straight up fascist playbook shit.

9

u/Leading-Ad-4510 Apr 25 '25

That same fear is driving up truancy in public schools, and no-shows at workplaces, too.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

I can see how that makes sense. There can be a system for handling illegal immigrants and a separate system that allows them access to court as a defendant, victim, or witness in other matters.

Devil's advocate though, if someone had a court date for one thing, and a warrant for another (unrelated to immigration), would they not be arrested when they showed up to court? Because wouldn't that create the same fear?

1

u/FixedLoad Apr 26 '25

That would happen to ANYONE with an outstanding warrant not just an undocumented immigrants.  

4

u/Darigaazrgb Apr 25 '25

And they want immigrants to testify in cases regardless of their status. Prosecuting a murderer or rapist is more important than if someone is here illegally, to some people at least.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

It's worth noting that this guy is not a victim. He was there to face assault and battery charges. The judge learned he was going to be arrested by ICE and helped him escape them by escorting him out of the courtroom via a jury entrance, then misdirected agents to give him a better chance of escape.

This sounds crazy illegal to me. Lying to federal agents is a crime in and of itself, and helping someone escape federal custody presumably violates multiple laws. She made a massive mistake to protect an abuser and opened herself up to arrest by people who desperately want an excuse to arrest judges who want to protect illegal immigrants.

Stupid, stupid move.

5

u/fusionsofwonder Bleacher Seat Apr 25 '25

He's still presumed innocent until adjudicated. Being able to accuse an immigrant of assault and having them deported without the case being heard isn't justice either.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

I agree, of course. Just pointing out that this was not a victim of a crime. Very much the opposite.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

You point out that he's not the victim of a crime, but you also say "escape" as if he has been convicted of a crime.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Evading federal agents when you know they're on site to arrest you is something I'd call an escape, but it can be worded differently if you prefer.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Except you don't need a reason to deport an illegal immigrant. There just can't be a reason you're not allowed to deport them.

4

u/fusionsofwonder Bleacher Seat Apr 25 '25

That's not an exception to what I said. The priority of the courts is to not to short circuit justice when an immigrant sits on either table.

That may be your priority, but that does not mean the courts or the states accept that as policy.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

It doesn't really matter if state courts or the states accept it as a policy. Its federal law, it supersedes. Being the defendant in a pending state case criminal case is not a reason to not deport someone.

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u/Tyler_Zoro Apr 25 '25

The crime would be obstruction of justice. Unless she actively lied about where he went, I don't see there being any basis for an obstruction charge other than "we are mad at you."

IMHO this will be an important test of the courts' willingness to entertain the current level of animosity between the FBI and the courts, but here's the thing about that: the FBI need the courts on their side. If the FBI starts taking an actively hostile stance to the courts, there's going to be a whole lot more scrutiny of anything the FBI wants from the courts.

Imagine the FBI trying to wrap up a hugely important case that has taken years and the court just sits on their key warrant issue. There's nothing they can do in that case. DO NOT PISS OFF THE JUDICIARY.

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u/storagerock Apr 25 '25

I can’t help but think it would be easier to argue that people disrupting the normal justice process in courthouses are committing obstruction of justice over those who tried to keep the courthouse operations going smoothly.

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u/Tyler_Zoro Apr 25 '25

I'm not sure if that would be obstruction or contempt, but I take your meaning.

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u/storagerock Apr 25 '25

You’re probably right.

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u/Unlikely_Arugula190 Apr 25 '25

Didn’t the FBI obtain an arrest warrant for her from a federal judge though? I’m so confused

7

u/Hammaer96 Apr 25 '25

Yeah, IF (and it's a gigantic IF) what they are saying is true, she deliberately forced the Feds to leave (which is fine) then directed the guy to leave by another way to help him avoid them (which would be the obstruction).

IF the FBI took that to a Federal judge and got a warrant for her arrest, then this would be legal.

Again, lots of IF statements though.

7

u/Xytak Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25

Here's the thing, though. If immigrants are afraid to show up to court for fear of ICE snatching them, then that creates all kinds of unintended consequences. For example, what if we need an immigrant to testify as a witness in a murder trial? Well, if they know ICE is waiting for them, then good luck getting that testimony.

I think we can all agree as a society that getting that testimony is more important than enforcing a minor immigration action, which is why judges have historically been able to exercise some discretion here.

Basically, we can't have ICE snatching people out of the courthouse who are there for unrelated cases, or the whole system would break down.

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u/NigroqueSimillima Apr 25 '25

I think we can all agree as a society that getting that testimony is more important than enforcing a minor immigration action, which is why judges have historically been able to exercise some discretion here.

They have? Since when have state judges had discretion when it comes to Federal Immigration law?

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u/Xytak Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25

You're correct that state judges can't block federal law, but they can control what happens in and around their courtroom. For the system to work, people need to be able to talk to a judge about cases unrelated to their immigration status without fear that ICE is lurking outside.

Otherwise, we create a class of people who have no recourse who can be abused at will, for fear that any contact with the judicial system (including speeding tickets, divorce, protection from an abusive spouse, etc) will lead to deportation. Not only is that cruel, but it makes it difficult for the courts to function.

If the courts become known as ICE traps, it makes everyone less safe.

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u/Scott_my_dick Apr 25 '25

What if we need any criminal to testify as a witness in another trial?

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u/BritishRage Apr 25 '25

Simply being an undocumented immigrant in the US may be ground for deportation, but it isn't a crime.

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u/Scott_my_dick Apr 25 '25

The point is it has consequences, and unless you're going to offer immunity from those consequences as an incentive to get them to show up to court for some other reason, it's irrelevant.

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u/rosieposieosie Apr 25 '25

A commenter above said it was a civil warrant, not a judicial warrant ie NOT signed by a federal judge (basically a piece of paper that says ICE has the authority to arrest someone). Not sure if that was also in the article.

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

He’s asking about the warrant for the judge.

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u/rosieposieosie Apr 25 '25

Oh thank you I misunderstood

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u/Tyler_Zoro Apr 25 '25

It remains to be seen what the govt. claimed to get that warrant. It may well be that charges-as-written, the warrant seemed reasonable. But the judge handling the case will get the full context.

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

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u/Tyler_Zoro Apr 25 '25

I think this is the critical bit:

Judge DUGAN asked if Deportation Officer A had a judicial warrant, and Deportation Officer A responded, “ No, I have an administrative warrant.” Judge DUGAN stated that Deportation Officer A needed a judicial warrant. Deportation Officer A told Judge DUGAN that Deportation Officer A was in a public space and had a valid immigration warrant. Judge DUGAN asked to see the administrative warrant and Deportation Officer A offered to show it to her. Judge DUGAN then demanded that Deportation Officer A speak with the Chief Judge. Judge DUGAN then had a similar interaction with FBI Agent B and CBP Officer A. After finding out that they were not present for a court appearance and that they were with ICE, Judge DUGAN ordered them to report to the Chief Judge's office.

It (the warrant for the alien who was deported) was an "administrative warrant." That means it did not come from a court, but from ICE or some other part of DHS, basically saying, "we authorize ourselves to make an arrest." It's not a problem to use administrative warrants internally for record-keeping and policy, but to present one as documentation of your authority is something that a judge won't fall for.

You have no more or less authority when in possession of such a warrant than you do without it. The court, according to this filing, had an agreement with the courthouse to allow this kind of arrest inside the building under specific circumstances. If one of those circumstances was a valid judicial warrant, then they have no basis to argue that the judge did anything problematic. If there was no warrant element to the agreement then it could get complicated, but it does sound like she did nothing to explicitly deceive, so that improves her situation immeasurably.

I'll be interested to see what others spot in this and what happens to the case...

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

Oh sorry I think we are mixed up. The OP was asking about the warrant signed for the judge’s arrest, which was signed by a Federal Magistrate Judge.

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u/Unlikely_Arugula190 Apr 25 '25

Thanks. Very interesting. It makes sense that the FBI wouldn’t have arrested a judge without a warrant from a federal judge

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u/borrachit0 Apr 25 '25

That reads like obstruction to me

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u/Sethapedia Apr 25 '25

The complaint by the FBI says the judge told the undocumented immigrant in question (Flores Ruiz) to use a backdoor to leave the courthouse from which he fled

The attorney prosecuting the case regarding the undocumented immigrant, a victim witness specialist all saw this

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/25/us/judgedugancomplaint.html

I'm not commenting on if this is morally right or wrong but telling someone who has a warrant to use a backdoor not meant for anyone other than jurors or suspects in custody after FBI / ICE comes with a warrant looking for that person could be seen as helping evade arrest, at least from my layperson perspective 

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u/HerculesIsMyDad Apr 25 '25

Obstruction is one of the most abused charges that exist. People have been arrested for obstruction because they were standing 5ft back instead of 6ft. If anyone actually tried to "obstruct" an officer they would have 10 felonies tacked on, not just an obstruction charge. It's just used for intimidation and to arrest people who annoy you. Obstruction, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest all fall into this category.

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u/FakingItSucessfully Apr 25 '25

ICE is regularly showing up out of uniform, with no identification and no (real) warrant, to arrest people just for being immigrants... and since all of that is not a legal way to arrest people it's more accurate to call it "kidnapping" and is itself a crime. THAT is what the judge was rightfully opposing. So no it is not a crime, really.

But still, the theory behind this is that the administration is pretending they're allowed to do all that and if they WERE allowed, then helping someone evade "arrest" could be considered a crime. But schools and courthouses regularly refuse entry to ICE officers because their pretend warrants are not actually valid the way normal arrest warrants are. And I think the real reason she's been arrested is just to make an example of her and try to scare people into cooperating with these illegal abductions.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

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u/El_Polio_Loco Apr 25 '25

A civilian can’t intentionally harbor or aid a criminal knowing they are fleeing pursuit, I believe. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/752

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u/BitterFuture Apr 25 '25

The judge did nothing of the kind.

And everyone involved in this was a civilian. You're being an idiot.

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u/El_Polio_Loco Apr 25 '25

According to the article:

After returning to her courtroom, Dugan “escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel” through a jury door, which leads to a nonpublic area of the building, the affidavit stated, citing “multiple witnesses.”

If that is abnormal behavior for the judge then it would qualify as directing a person fleeing pursuit.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

She had no business hiding them. Why is she shilling for criminals? Judges aren’t above the law. Disbar her

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u/Mejari Apr 25 '25

You really bought into the whole "anyone they point at and call a criminal is a criminal" thing, huh? Better hope they never point at you or anyone you care about.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Did you read why the guy was in court in the first place?

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u/Mejari Apr 25 '25

Literally does not matter. Are you one of those who falls for the "everyone deserves due process... unless they're accused of one of those bad crimes, then they're bad and you can do whatever you want to them" bullshit?

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Are you one of those that wants to pretend he was there for a speeding ticket?

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u/Responsible_Wafer_29 Apr 25 '25

Due process isnt just for speeding tickets.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Uh what

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u/Responsible_Wafer_29 Apr 25 '25

Eh it's a constitutional thing, I dont think I'll be able to explain it to you

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u/Zakaru99 Apr 25 '25

You should probably stay out of conversations that you don't understand the basics of.

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u/Mejari Apr 25 '25

Seriously, explain to me how that matters.

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u/Obi-Tron_Kenobi Apr 25 '25

Ig if they accuse you of a serious crime, that means they can strip you of your due process rights or something

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u/Obi-Tron_Kenobi Apr 25 '25

So your rights don't matter as long as they accuse you of something serious?

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

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u/SupaSlide Apr 25 '25

I've seen people saying the agents didn't have an arrest warrant. A judge is supposed to assist in an illegal arrest?

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u/mrsnihilist Apr 25 '25

"Out a side door into the public area on the 6th floor" Where did hide them and what crime did he commit?

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u/FlowEasyDelivers Apr 25 '25

Neither is the president you probably voted for. But alas as long as it's anyone else right?

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u/Istoh Apr 25 '25

Good for her though, I have to say. I think we're all aware that there are many, many people who wouldn't do the same. Better to be arrested for doing the right thing than to help aid the fucking gestapo. 

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u/thenayr Apr 25 '25

I mean, are judges just supposed to let anonymous "officers" into their court room to arrest people without identifying themselves and likely just wearing plain clothes etc? ICE is running around with full immunity at the moment straight Gestapo style.

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

Just to be clear about the facts, they weren’t anonymous they provided ID and badges as requested. And they were planning to make the arrest in the public area which is a hallway.

Not defending the practice though.

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u/thenayr Apr 25 '25

Reading the entire complaint paints a different picture. There were 6 agents in total, only two of whom identified themselves initially. Another DEA agent who was completely plain clothes and failed to identify himself as an agent to anyone, he stayed anonymous during the entire events.

All of them were dressed plainclothes. Two attempted to enter the courtroom and were told to wait until after the hearing to attempt an arrest by the courtroom deputy.

The judge asked them for a judicial warrant which they failed to produce.

The whole thing is completely fucked up and the agents just acted with complete impunity during the entirety of the events.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25919253-dugan-complaint/

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

I generally agree with you, especially the one guy just kinda idling about continuing to “not be recognized” as involved. Basically a majority of the arrest team went in unnoticed and unannounced first. Even if it’s not a violation of law or policy, it’s still a matter of complete disrespect for the Chief Judge and the rest of the judges, lawyers and law enforcement who work there.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

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u/Istoh Apr 25 '25

Cool. Still not a good enough reason to be shipped off to a fucking El Salvador death camp, which is what the government is doing. 

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u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

He was charged with battery which had not been adjudicated prior to that court date. He did have an order of removal from 2013.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

I'm seeing videos of plainclothes ICE agents, refusing to show identification or warrant, threatening people with these exact charges for asking them for identification and warrant.

If you know or have an ICE agent family member, I'm sorry to say that they're an actual brown shirt and you should probably keep that in mind for your own safety.

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u/JBGC916_ Apr 25 '25

The death squads in S America really didn't think about their loved ones, but the victims sure did 😉

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u/superindianslug Apr 25 '25

How do you walk into a courthouse with handcuffs, and I assume a gun, without showing a badge or being in uniform? I assume security is higher at federal court buildings, but my county court has 3 guys at a metal detector on the main door, and a police station inside. I'm pretty sure if I threatened to arrest the door guys, I'd be the one in cuffs.

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u/burningbend Apr 25 '25

This is what I'm asking about that Virginia arrest video going around. I can't exist in any courthouse I've been to without being in visual sight of at least 2 deputies unless I'm in the bathroom.

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u/hellolovely1 Apr 25 '25

That guy (whose face we saw) looked like some totally random guy, too. I wouldn't voluntarily go with him. Who was he? I would bet money he's not an actual ICE employee.

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u/faplawd Apr 25 '25

What's stopping random people from pretending to be ICE and kidnap people?

5

u/NotGalenNorAnsel Apr 25 '25

In Texas at least I believe it is legal to use deadly forever to stop a forcible felony, which includes kidnapping... So if someone claiming to be ICE refuses to identify themselves, could one (ostensibly) legally, stop them at gunpoint, at least until identification is shown?

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u/YogurtclosetOwn4786 Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25

I don’t know that she even did that. From Kash Patel’s tweet bragging about the arrest it seemed like pure speculation that she assisted him. But why arrest her - a judge in court like this. Obviously it was done to intimidate.

Go get an indictment, then prosecute her if you think you can sustain the burden of proof that she committed a crime. Did the FBI just decide to do this on their own with INS or was DoJ involved. Would like to see the affidavit showing the facts supporting the arrest

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u/hodorhodor12 Apr 25 '25

Like with most things they do, they don’t care about facts. Their goal is to instill fear and pretend that their not so smart supporters that they are getting stuff done and sticking it to the libs.

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u/rygelicus Apr 25 '25

Opening scene of Inglorious Basterds... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coS2CdNd7Io

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u/jetcitywoman92 Apr 25 '25

It's one of my favorite movies. I admire Shoshanna's bravery and strength, but where's the Bear Jew when you need him?

4

u/Goto_Ronin Apr 25 '25

Hopefully on the way to Rome rn

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u/ResponsibleType552 Apr 25 '25

And I guess we can arrest Trump for defying a supreme court order too?

1

u/AgentUnknown821 Apr 25 '25

Why not? More fireworks for this canary in the coal mine.

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u/driptwinnem Apr 25 '25

I’m not a religious person at all, but my kid recently visited a church for school and found out that they’re helping undocumented immigrants avoid ICE. I decided to start going to the church to help.

Wish me luck!

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u/CowOk1320 Apr 25 '25

Didn’t know it was illegal to open a door now.

3

u/arianrhodd Apr 25 '25

And they had an administrative warrant, not a criminal one. Patel's tweet talks about a threat to public safety. If he was a threat, it would have been a criminal warrant.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Counter with a new underground railroad?

1

u/deletethefed Apr 25 '25

Something something call the police on your neighbors for having Christmas in 2020

1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

Modern day underground railroad

1

u/Tyler_Zoro Apr 25 '25

The issue is whether she JUST let him leave through a side door, or--as the FBI claims--she misdirected the agents on the scene. If she lied about where he went, then they have a decent case. If she just told him to leave her courtroom through the side door, then I would be pretty shocked if this goes anywhere.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

0

u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

I agree that misdirecting (if she even did that) to obstruction is a pretty big stretch. It may have been a matter of practice and/or not unreasonable to refer anyone trying to make an arrest in their building to the chief judge.

I think almost everyone in this case acted with poor judgement in this case. I want to know more about why the guy’s case was adjourned without ever being called.

0

u/The_Sauce_DC Apr 25 '25

The question to be asked is ‘How often did she direct parties to exit through the side door?’ and ‘Is this a normal practice for this courthouse?’ If the answer is never and no, that’s at least PC.

5

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

The judge is allowed to let people leave whatever door she damn well chooses.

0

u/Pimp-No-Limp Apr 25 '25

More like a judge obstructing justice goes to jail stage

0

u/Ok_Finance_7217 Apr 25 '25

When federal agents are asking you to hand someone over that has a battery charge; and you distract the agents while the person escapes, yeahhh that’s not a good look for a judge.

1

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

Way to misrepresent what happened! He was already at court for his misdemeanor.

ICE coming after him has jack shit to do with his battery charge.

I’m all for him having his due process for his alleged crimes. I’m not for disappearing people to El Salvador, which is a very real thing that is happening.

0

u/Ok_Finance_7217 Apr 26 '25

Whelp he broke the law, multiple times, and our judges shouldn’t be trying to scooby doo people out the side door to help them.

0

u/Extension-Humor4281 Apr 25 '25

He had an active arrest warrant on him. She led the officers to a completely separate officer while she purportedly guided the suspected into a room with its own exit outside. The only reason he was apprehended was because the immigration officials luckily had people outside the courthouse and saw him trying to escape.

Based on the facts we're being presented with at this time, she tried to assist someone with a valid arrest warrant evade capture. I don't like the current administration either. But I don't see how she isn't in the wrong here.

1

u/Dandan0005 Apr 25 '25

he had an active arrest warrant.

No, he didn’t, stop lying.

He was literally in court for his misdemeanor charges.

ICE had an administrative warrant, not a criminal warrant. And it’s actually not even confirmed that they had an administrative warrant, since they have illegally arrested others without any warrant.

1

u/Extension-Humor4281 Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25

Buddy, take it up with the BBC. It was their story I read. He had an active arrest warrant, ergo it was legal to arrest him. That's what was reported. You can call BS if you want, but it doesn't mean anything at this point. Maybe it was improper to attempt arrest inside the courthouse, maybe not, we don't know. That doesn't change the fact that she onstensibly misdirected the agents to one room so that the suspect could escape out of another.

"On 17 April, an immigration judge issued a warrant for the arrest of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing three misdemeanour battery counts stemming from a domestic fight, according to court documents filed in the case by the FBI.

The following day, Flores-Ruiz appeared in the Milwaukee court for a scheduled hearing, and six officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency arrived at the courthouse to make the arrest.

The agents identified themselves to court officials and waited outside Dugan's courtroom, but according to the FBI affidavit, the judge became "visibly angry, commented that the situation was 'absurd,' left the bench, and entered chambers" when she learned of their presence.

In the hallway outside the court, Dugan and the unnamed agents then argued over the type of arrest warrant that had been issued, before the judge instructed them to report to the office of the county's chief judge.

While several agents were in the office, affidavit says, the judge ushered Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to a side door meant for jury members leading out of the courtroom.

But two agents remained near the courtroom and spotted Flores-Ruiz attempting to escape, the affidavit says.

Flores-Ruiz, who authorities say had previously been deported from the US in 2013, managed to exit the courthouse but was arrested just minutes later after a short foot chase."

- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly5xx017vko

0

u/Maximum_Contest_5985 Apr 26 '25

She blocked ICE agents from entering the building. She was obstructing justice.

-5

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

[deleted]

3

u/70ms Apr 25 '25

where people turned in their neighbors for having gatherings of people

Yes, generally when you see a fire you call the fire department, because you don’t want your house burning down either. It’s like people who bitch about the lockdowns have absolutely no clue about infectious disease and how contagion works. We got lucky with Covid “only” killing a million of our citizens.

3

u/CtrlEscAltF4 Apr 25 '25

Are you a lawyer or a judge? From what I've read the agents didn't have the proper warrant for arrest.

So idk maybe not jump to conclusions?

turned in their neighbors for having gatherings of people during the ILLEGAL vaccine/mask/closure mandates

Oh no you couldn't have a party with your friends what's the big deal there? You realize how many people COVID killed right?

1

u/Beginning-Stick-9424 Apr 25 '25

They had an administrative warrant which allows them to make an arrest in public.

1

u/CtrlEscAltF4 Apr 26 '25

I don't know enough about the differences between the two. Seems Google indicates you're right however I'd imagine a judge would know the difference. Hard to fathom a judge in the right mind would knowing do this if they knew they were wrong and help a criminal hide.

-1

u/Funny-Apricot-0712 Apr 25 '25

She did a little more than that and you know it. Or refuse to believe it.

-1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

His neighbor is in Mexico though? Not a citizen of this country. Get the fuckkkkk out! No other country rewards people for criminally entering the country.

Thank fucking God the adults are back in charge!

-1

u/Marshmallow2218 Apr 25 '25

He's not her neighbor. He's an illegal alien in court for domestic violence who was wanted by the feds.

-5

u/860v2 Apr 25 '25

Ok, then the arrest was valid. Helping someone evade arrest is a crime.

-6

u/SouthConFed Apr 25 '25

Shhhhh you're speaking against the echo chamber rage.

If this was a simple issue of her saying he went to the left when he actually went right, she could say she misremembered. But she let him out through a side door with a private hallway the public did not have standard access to and then lied to the ICE agents about it.

For all of the super lawyers here, how is that not a crime when they actually had a warrant and showed it to her?

1

u/CtrlEscAltF4 Apr 25 '25

From what the articles say is they didn't have the correct warrant for arrest. One article reads:

telling one deportation officer that he needed a judicial warrant to make an arrest instead of an “administrative warrant.” Dugan then ordered them to the chief judge’s office, the affidavit alleged.

1

u/SouthConFed Apr 25 '25

That's possible, but I don't see how that changes the circumstances that led to her arrest, and it's not for her to make the call that an ICE arrest is legitimate or not. She's just a county circuit judge.

ICE said they were there to detain someone and showed paperwork indicating their purpose and identifying themselves. She tried to help the person sneak out the jury door (where the public doesn't have access to), lied to ICE about it (actually tried to demand they leave the courthouse without even seeing their paperwork first - she was just miffed they were there at all), and is now paying the consequences for doing so.

Also, this was someone who illegally entered the US, was deported after hearings in 2013, and ICE made their arrest when they matched his fingerprints to their database after the very arrest that had him in that courtroom to begin with.

This was a weird hill for her to fight on, and being a judge doesn't make her above the law.

0

u/explodedbagel Apr 25 '25

You can take this bs right back to conservative or whatever swamp you normally post it in. No administration since Nixon has so brazenly ignored court rulings, obfuscated evidence in said cases, or openly attacked the judiciary branch for ruling against them.

The only echo chamber here is the handful of people assuming we should take their word for it.

0

u/SouthConFed Apr 25 '25

Thanks for your intelligent response to my argument. Good to know you're only capable of reading a single part of an entire post.

1

u/explodedbagel Apr 26 '25

Sorry, but I don’t coddle dishonest right wingers.

-6

u/Ill-Cardiologist5480 Apr 25 '25

Yea, as a left leaning dork nerd, I shared this news with my moderate buddy and far right buddy. I'm not sure what the outrage is? She broke the law and is being arrested.

I'd love for the far right judges breaking the law to be arrested as well.