A 42-year-old Reading man has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with an alleged fraudulent real estate transaction involving a deceased homeowner and a blighted property in the city.
According to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, Hector J. Martinez is accused of forging documents and unlawfully claiming ownership of a property in the 300 block of South 7th Street. The investigation began in August 2024 after the Berks County Treasurer’s Office flagged concerns related to unpaid property taxes and suspicious deed documentation.
Officials discovered that the property in question appeared to have been sold in June 2024 to a limited liability corporation operated by Martinez. However, the grantor listed on the notarized deed had died in April 2021—more than three years prior to the alleged transaction.
An investigation by the District Attorney’s Detectives revealed that the deceased woman’s family was unaware the home had been sold and had no knowledge of Martinez or his LLC. They also reported that they had not granted anyone permission to access the property or remove its contents.
Further concerns were raised when detectives interviewed the notary who had notarized the deed. The notary confirmed that the individual who appeared before her was not the actual homeowner and identified Martinez as having been present during the signing with the unidentified woman.
Detectives later interviewed Martinez, who admitted to having the deed fraudulently prepared and notarized. He was unable to provide financial records to support his claim of having legally purchased the property.
On April 8, 2025, Martinez was charged with Tampering with Public Records or Information, Theft by Deception, Forgery, Tampering with Records or Identification, Theft by Unlawful Taking, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, and Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activity. A warrant was issued by Magisterial District Judge Carissa Johnson.
Martinez surrendered to county detectives on April 9 and was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael D. Kaufman. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Authorities noted that the investigation remains ongoing. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
