[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 07/15/20]
TAVARES, Florida — A woman who was arrested for 10 counts of voter fraud in March has qualified to run for Lake County Republican Party State Committeewoman.
Cheryl Arellano, 64, of Clermont was arrested under the name Cheryl Hall on March 5 following a joint investigation by Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays’ office and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed Arellano/Hall received serialized voter registration cards from her employer in packs of 50. Of those cards assigned to her, at least 10 contained information that was allegedly changed, and after receiving notice from Hays’ office, voters called and complained, launching the investigation
According to Lake County Clerk of Court records, Arellano filed to legally change her last name from Hall to Arellano in July 2019, and the court granted her petition in November 2019.
In her criminal case, Arellano declined the public defender and signed her name “Cheryl A. Hall,” more than three months after changing her name. At press time, Arellano did not have a private attorney and may plan on representing herself. There is no evidence she has ever attempted to correct her name in her criminal case.
Arellano is no stranger to the law. In 2015, LCSO served a search warrant at Arellano’s home on Yellow Pine Lane in Clermont. According to an arrest affidavit, 10 pounds of marijuana were found in her attic, along with drug paraphernalia in the house. She was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia. Arellano agreed to pre-trial intervention which she completed successfully, and the charges were dropped.
Her next scheduled court date for the voter fraud charges is July 27.
Lake Legal News called Arellano on Wednesday and left a voicemail. She texted back and was unavailable for comment.
[ Read our follow-up article here: https://www.lakelegalnews.com/article/lake-county-republican-executive-committee-removes-embattled-precinct-committeewoman-in-wake-of-voter-fraud-arrest/ ]
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
