By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark woman already facing charges in what authorities describe as a large-scale property management fraud scheme has been charged in a new case involving an out-of-state property owner who allegedly lost more than $90,000.
According to information released by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, 44-year-old Martinia A. Heath of Newark is charged with theft by deception, impersonation, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft of services, hindering apprehension, conspiracy to hinder, and obstruction.
Heath’s boyfriend, 32-year-old Jalen T. Carlisle of Old Bridge, has also been charged with theft by deception, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, multiple counts of hindering apprehension, conspiracy to hinder, and obstruction.
Authorities said the latest investigation began after a Texas resident reported concerns to the Union County Prosecutor’s
Office Special Prosecutions Unit. Detectives determined that between September 2024 and April 2026, Heath agreed to oversee renovations on the victim’s Newark property.
Investigators allege the victim transferred approximately $90,944 to Heath and Carlisle for contractor services and property improvements.
Instead of using the money for the renovation project, prosecutors allege the pair kept the funds for personal use while the promised work remained unfinished.
According to investigators, Heath also allegedly used alternate phone numbers to impersonate a general contractor and a prospective tenant in text messages sent to the victim in an effort to conceal the alleged scheme.
On June 9, detectives from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, assisted by the Newark Police Department, went to an apartment on Broad Street in Newark to arrest Heath and serve Carlisle with a complaint summons.
Prosecutors said Carlisle met officers outside the building and falsely claimed Heath was in New York. Detectives later discovered Heath was inside the apartment during the entire encounter, resulting in additional hindering apprehension and obstruction charges against both defendants.
The investigation remains ongoing.