FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A local woman is facing perjury and related charges after she allegedly presented forged documents in a court proceeding.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Melanie Lyn Mason of Emlenton.

According to a criminal complaint, around 8:30 a.m. on January 4, a Civil Court proceeding involving Melanie Mason was held at the Venango Courthouse. During the proceeding, Mason presented three certified mail receipts with a known woman’s signature and printed name on them.

Following the court case, the known woman contacted the state police to report that the documents were forged.

Trooper Young interviewed the known woman on June 20.

According to the complaint, the woman stated that the documents Mason presented as evidence in the civil court case were false and that she did not sign or print her name on the documents.

Trooper Young conducted a video and audio recorded interview with Mason on July 10. Mason allegedly admitted that she signed and printed the known woman’s name on the certified mail receipts and gave them to her attorney to present as evidence in the court proceeding, the complaint states.

Based on the investigation, Mason was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, in Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office on the following charges:

• Forgery — Unauthorized Act In Writing, Felony 2
• Perjury, Felony 3
• False Swearing — Official Proceeding, Misdemeanor 2

She is currently free on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8, with Judge Kirtland presiding.