A woman charged with pretending to be a lawyer and submitting false immigration documents has now been charged with threatening one of her alleged victims.

Melva Washington, 60, was charged with two counts of first-degree forgery, four counts of false statements and writings and three counts of unauthorized practice of a law profession on March 28. Now Washington and her daughter Elizabeth Cannon-Washington are both charged with a count of terroristic threats and a count of influencing witnesses.

PREVIOUSLY | Cops: Gwinnett church leader posed as lawyer, accountant and stole from customers

MORE | Gwinnett man attacked by dogs could have lost leg, daughter says

Cannon-Washington contacted a witness in her mother’s case after her mother’s arrest, Gwinnett County police said. Cannon-Washington threatened him to not speak to the police or provide testimony in the case, the witness told police. Washington had told her daughter to “place fear in the witness” and demand him to pay $10,000 towards her bond, according to police.

Cannon-Washington turned herself in to police Thursday afternoon.

Washington’s initial arrest came after multiple alleged victims told police that Washington had acted as an immigration lawyer on their behalf, scamming them out of money and submitting forged documents to the government.

Gwinnett County police ask anyone who may have been a victim of Washington to contact the department at 770-513-5300.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Stay up to the minute with breaking news on Channel 2 Action News This Morning

Wife, Lover Killed Security Guard for $1M Insurance Policy, Police Say

About the Author

Keep Reading

A car fire closed northbound lanes on I-75 just before the exit to Barrett Parkway on Monday morning. Traffic was blocked as crews cleaned up the aftermath, though at least one lane has since reopened. (Georgia Department of Transportation)

Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation

Featured

Cooling towers for Units 4 and 3 are seen at Plant Vogtle, operated by Georgia Power Co., in east Georgia's Burke County near Waynesboro, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC