MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An immigrant who was arrested after a Milwaukee judge allegedly helped him dodge federal agents has been deported.
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, pleaded guilty in September to illegally reentering the United States after he reached a deal with prosecutors. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security tweeted Friday afternoon that he has now been deported.
The tweet did not specify whether he was sent back to Mexico or another location. Attempts to reach his attorney, Martin Pruhs, for comment were unsuccessful.
Flores-Ruiz is at the center of a case against Judge Hannah Dugan, who is facing serious charges that could result in prison time for herself.
According to court documents, Flores-Ruiz left Mexico at the age of 18 in 2013 and illegally entered the U.S. He was immediately apprehended and deported, but reentered shortly thereafter. He worked in Milwaukee restaurants for 12 years.
He faced three misdemeanor battery charges after a fight with his roommate. Immigration agents became aware of his illegal status when his fingerprints were submitted to federal databases.
He was scheduled for a court hearing in April, where immigration agents intended to take him into custody. However, Dugan allegedly guided him out through a private exit before agents could arrest him, leading to his eventual capture following a foot chase.
A federal grand jury indicted Dugan in May on two counts: obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. She is set to stand trial starting December 15, facing up to six years in federal prison.
On social media, the Department of Homeland Security criticized Dugan's actions. Judge Hannah Dugan’s actions to obstruct this violent criminal’s arrest take 'activist judge' to a whole new meaning, they stated. Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement, this criminal is out of our country.
Dugan has denied any wrongdoing, claiming her authority to manage courtroom proceedings freely. Earlier communications from Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley indicated instructions for maintaining courts as “safe havens” from immigration enforcement.
Flores-Ruiz was sentenced to time served after agreeing to plead guilty to the charge of illegal entry, also promising to comply with deportation.
