Woman Charged in Alleged Pennsylvania Online Hit Man Plot

ALLENTOWN, Pa.-- A New Jersey woman has been charged in eastern Pennsylvania with trying to hire a hit man online to kill a woman in California 4 1/2 years ago.

A grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges that 28-year-old Marissa Mark, formerly of Allentown, agreed in September 2006 to pay $37,000 to have the woman shot in the head. Authorities said the woman was unharmed.

Authorities allege that Mark used three stolen credit cards to pay an initial $19,000 via an Internet payment service.

She was charged with conspiracy, identity theft and other counts.

Federal prosecutors said Mark was arrested Tuesday in Jersey City, N.J., and had an initial appearance in federal court in Allentown.

A listed number for Mark could not be found and it was unclear whether she had an attorney.