Former Mayor of Kansas Town Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Election Crimes, Hopes to Avoid Deportation

Former mayor of Kansas town pleads guilty to misdemeanor election crimes, hopes to avoid deportation

Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the arrest of Joe Ceballos, then mayor of Coldwater, for illegally voting as an immigrant, in November. On April 20, 2026, Ceballos pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — A former Kansas mayor and immigrant charged with voting illegally pleaded guilty to lesser charges Monday, a move expected to allow him to remain in the United States.  Former Coldwat…

Ex-mayor enters guilty plea, avoids deportation - The Iola Register

A former Kansas mayor pleaded guilty to reduced election charges Monday, avoiding potential deportation and clearing a path to remain in the United States. TOPEKA — A former Kansas mayor and immigrant charged with voting illegally pleaded guilty to lesser charges Monday, a move expected to allow him to remain in the United States. Former Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos reached a plea agreement with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office to drop the s…

Former small-town mayor pleads guilty in election case

The former mayor of the small town of Coldwater on Monday pleaded guilty to reduced charges arising from allegations that accused him of voting illegally as a noncitizen. Joe Ceballos, 55, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of disorderly election conduct in a case that gained national attention, court documents show. As part of the plea deal,  Ceballos will serve a six-month sentence on each count to run concurrently. The sentence, under…