HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A husband and wife have finally been arrested after authorities say they defrauded dozens of property owners.
Alba Martinez was arrested on Thursday in Montgomery County on theft and forgery charges.
She and her husband, Jarin Martinez, were indicted in Harris County last week for stealing seven properties worth a combined $1.6 million. Court records note that investigators believe they stole at least 36 properties.
ABC13 reporter Miya Shay broke the story of the couple’s questionable real estate transactions in February.
That month, Michael Scranton had hired Tracy Brandon to sell his half-acre lot in Acres Homes, only to discover the property was no longer in his name.
Scranton said his signature had been forged on the property deed signing it over to someone else.
“That’s not my signature. You know, it’s crazy somebody can just sign your name and claim your property,” Scranton said.
After Scranton sued Alba Martinez, she agreed to sign his property back over to him.
It wasn’t long before the Harris County Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit against the Martinezes on behalf of other property owners.
In August, 40 properties reverted back to their rightful owners as part of a default judgment when Alba Martinez missed court hearings.
But until last week, she and her husband weren’t facing any criminal charges.
“I didn’t think that it would take nearly as long as it did,” Brandon said.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office credits the initial ABC13 story with prompting the Montgomery County Clerk’s Office to do a proactive review of its records.
Court documents say the clerk’s office discovered two fraudulent deeds with Alba Martinez’s name. Both were for a home in Porter, which the documents note Martinez sold for $25,000.
In Harris County, Brandon said many of the deeds contained fake notary stamps. She said the fraud could have been detected sooner had staff in the county clerk’s office run the names of the notaries.
Brandon has started a website, HoustonDeedFraud.com, to help property owners protect themselves from fraud.
Alba Martinez was booked into the Montgomery County Jail, while Jarin Martinez remains in the Harris County Jail. Jail records show both have immigration holds.
For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
