Elizabeth, NJ – A Newark woman who is already facing charges in an alleged $1 million property management fraud scheme has been charged in a second case accusing her of stealing nearly $91,000 from an out-of-state property owner, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced.
Martinia A. Heath, 44, is charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree impersonation, second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception, third-degree theft of services, third-degree hindering apprehension, third-degree conspiracy to hinder, and fourth-degree obstruction.
Her boyfriend, Jalen T. Carlisle, 32, of Old Bridge, is charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception, multiple counts of third-degree hindering apprehension, third-degree conspiracy to hinder, and fourth-degree obstruction.
Prosecutors say victim lost nearly $91,000
According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began after a Texas resident reported being defrauded during the renovation of a Newark property.
Detective Jessica Tattoli’s investigation found that between September 2024 and April 2026, Heath agreed to oversee renovations on the property and received approximately $90,944 from the victim to pay contractors and complete improvements.
Instead, prosecutors allege Heath and Carlisle kept the money for personal use while failing to complete the promised work.
Investigators also allege Heath used alternate phone numbers to impersonate both a general contractor and a prospective tenant in text messages sent to the victim.
Boyfriend accused of helping Heath evade arrest
Authorities said detectives from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department went to an apartment on Broad Street in Newark on June 9 to arrest Heath and serve Carlisle with a complaint summons.
According to prosecutors, Carlisle met detectives outside the building and falsely claimed Heath was in New York.
Investigators later determined Heath had remained inside the apartment throughout the encounter, resulting in additional hindering apprehension and obstruction charges against both defendants.
Second fraud case pending
Heath was previously arrested in December 2024 and charged with theft by deception, impersonation, and forgery in an unrelated property management fraud investigation that prosecutors have said involved approximately $1 million. That case remains pending.
Anyone with information about these or similar incidents involving Heath or Carlisle is asked to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jessica Tattoli at (908) 527-4325.
The charges against Heath and Carlisle are accusations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
