Update #2, 04/17/18 The lead detective has continued to receive tips and information on victims in this case.  New information has linked Gregorio Perez Gonzalez (53) of Duluth, GA to this scam.  Gregorio solicited victims to hire an immigration service business that he co-owned with Melva Washington named “Gonzalez-Washington Immigration Services.”  He also had a “church” that he “pastored” in the same location as Melva.  Warrants for Gregorio’s arrest have been obtained.  He is charged with Forgery in the 1^st Degree (2 counts), False Statements (2 counts), and Unauthorized Practice of Law (2 counts).  His exact whereabouts are unknown at this time.  If anyone has any information on the location of Gregorio Perez Gonzalez they are asked to call Gwinnett Police Detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

Update #1, 04/05/2018: Elizabeth Cannon-Washington turned herself into the Gwinnett County Jail earlier this afternoon.  (Please contact the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office regarding booking information.)

Original, 04/05/2018: (Norcross, Georgia)  After being arrested and charged on March 28, Melva Washington is now facing new charges: Influencing Witness and Terroristic Threats. 

An investigation into Melva’s “law practice” began back in February.  A local attorney learned about Melva through two clients.  According to the attorney, the two victims were promised that their immigration status would be fixed after providing a large sum of money to Melva.  Ms. Washington was known throughout the Hispanic community as an immigration attorney and a preacher and who helped illegal immigrants get their DACA.  When Melva would meet with clients, she told them that she could get their citizenship through DACA even if they didn’t meet the minimum requirements. 

After one of the clients was denied citizenship, he noticed that Melva forged and submitted false information on his behalf.  The client was convinced that he wasn’t Melva’s only victim.  

The case was assigned to an Electronic and Financial Crimes detective.  After conducting a preliminary investigation and collecting evidence, Detective Nermin Cultarevic discovered many more victims.  He obtained 9 warrants for Melva Washington’s arrest.  The warrants were for: Forgery 1^st Degree (2 counts), False Statements or Writings (4 counts), and Unauthorized Practice of a Law Profession (3 counts).  Melva was placed under arrest at her “church” at 6825 Jimmy Carter Boulevard Suite 1150 in unincorporated Norcross.  She was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on March 28.

On Wednesday, April 4, the detective was attending the Bond Hearing for Melva at the Gwinnett County Jail.  While there, he was approached by a witness in the case.  The witness told him that Melva’s daughter, Elizabeth Cannon-Washington, contacted him.  He said that Elizabeth threatened him if he provided testimony to authorities about Melva’s involvement in this or other crimes.  It was also learned that Melva instructed Elizabeth to place fear in the witness and to demand $10,000 from him to post her bond. 

As a result of her involvement, Elizabeth is now facing her own set of charges.  The lead detective also secured warrants for her arrest for Influencing Witness and Terroristic Threats.  As of now, Elizabeth’s whereabouts are unknown.  If anyone knows where she can be found, please contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).  Case Number:  18-011983 

Detective Nermin Cultarevic stated, “This department would like to inform the public to not be afraid to come forward and testify in any case especially cases of this kind. Issues of victims and witnesses being afraid to come and talk were a constant hurdle to overcome. We would like to reiterate our commitment to pursue the truth in this and other matters and will not hesitate to take proper and necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of anyone willing to provide information to us.

In addition to this matter, we would like to inform the media and the public about the instructions the suspect in this case gave to mainly illegal immigrants on how to scam the government and fake the asylum situations. Namely, the suspect had in her possession detailed instructions in English and Spanish where potential candidates were lectured about what to say in order to make themselves eligible for asylum.”

If there are any additional victims in this case, we encourage them to come forward and speak with the lead detective.  Please call 770 513-5300.