Well known social media personality, who goes by the Facebook Names “Melly Mel” and “Melissa Ann Atwell” was yesterday morning (13th of March, 2025) arrested by US Law Enforcement and taken into custody. Her arrest follows a slew of complaints from both Guyanese and US residents, as well as a 100-dollar lawsuit filed against her by Guyana’s Attorney General, Honorable Mohabir Anil Nandlall. Several other top Guyana Government officials have also filed criminal complaints against the said character for cyberbullying and other criminal matters. Melissa Ann Atwell, who also goes by married name “Melissa Ann Holder,” is rumored to have been involved in credit card fraud and also as having connections with the Mohameds of Lombard Street, Georgetown. The Mohameds were recently sanctioned by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
For years, Melly Mel operated with impunity from her New York hideout unleashing social media wrath on her adversaries and victims, often exposing personal and intimate matters, whether factual or fabricated, and splattering defamatory content across social media. She boasted that she was untouchable and protected under US Constitution. When a feud broke out between well known Guyanese journalist Mikhail Rodrigues AKA Guyanese Critic and Team Mohamed’s, the Mohameds allegedly contracted Atwell to attack Rodrigues using the aforementioned tactics. From that time onwards, her Facebook media posts suggested strong support and connections with the Mohameds of Lombard Street, Georgetown.
In late November, 2024, Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, filed a 100-million dollar defamation lawsuit against Melissa Ann Atwell (Holder). The lawsuit accuses Atwell of posting malicious and fabricated content on November 21, 2024 that questions Nandlall’s integrity, professionalism, and fitness to serve in public office. The statements, according to the claim, are intended to damage Nandlall’s reputation and standing among his colleagues, political peers, and the broader society. (Guyana Chronicle)
Arrested or Detained?
Following Atwell’s engagement with US law enforcement, many of her supporters were quick to point out on social media that Atwell was “questioned” or “detained,” and not “arrested.” However, this publication has received reliable feedback from a trusted US source that Atwell was arrested and not simply detained or questioned by US Law enforcement.
Based on the Department of Homeland Security Website, Melissa Ann Holder (evidently the same person as Melissa Ann Atwell) is currently in ICE custody at the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana (last updated 14th of March, 2025).
This publication understands that US Homeland Security Agents escorted Atwell on the 13th of March, 2025 from her home to their New York office where, according to sources, she has been questioned about her online activism, complaints against her by the Government of Guyana and other related issues.
Since she was taken into custody by U.S. Homeland Security agents, this could be either an immigration-related detention or a criminal arrest. However, in this case, it has been established that Atwell was arrested on suspicion of unlawful or criminal activities, and formal criminal charges were filed against her by the Guyanese Government and others. All of these factors indicate that Atwell’s engagement with US law enforcement involved an arrest followed by detention and questioning. A source close to Atwell said that she is cooperating fully with the US law enforcement officials.
