Three non-citizens arrested, charged with illegally voting in Arkansas elections [View all]

October 2, 2025

Authorities with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's office this week arrested three non-citizens who cast ballots illegally in elections last year, he announced in a Thursday news conference.

The three women, who lived in different cities and came from different countries, were arrested after investigators followed up on a tip from federal authorities about possible illegal voting in the state, Griffin said.

Authorities arrested Cecelia Castellanos, 59, of Rogers, who is from Cuba; Zlata Risley, 50, of Hot Springs, who is from Kazakhstan; and Chi Baum, 59, of Texarkana, who is from Nigeria, a release from Griffin's office states. Authorities arrested Castellanos and Baum on Tuesday and Risley on Wednesday.

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Authorities determined Castellanos and Baum voted illegally in the 2024 general election, while Risley voted illegally in the February 2024 Republican primary, Griffin said.

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https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/oct/02/three-non-citizens-arrested-for-illegal-voting-in/