Houston, Texas police have taken into custody two Venezuelan migrants, Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Her body was found strangled in a swampy creek on Monday, June 17, leading to capital murder charges against the two men.
Nungaray had been reported missing after leaving her apartment late Sunday night. Surveillance footage acquired by the police showed the suspects trailing her into a convenience store, which was pivotal in identifying and arresting them at their shared apartment.
Franklin Jose Pena Ramos illegally entered the U.S. near El Paso, Texas on May 28 and was released the same day on an order of recognizance with a notice to appear. He was fitted with a GPS tracker which monitored him for 21 days. It is unclear if he was wearing the tracker at the time of Nungaray’s murder. Similarly, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez entered illegally on March 14 and was released on an order of recognizance with a notice to appear.
Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn’s mother, voiced her anguish, saying, “I’m angry that they took advantage of her. She was only 12. They took my baby away, and now I have to tell her little brother that his sister isn’t coming home.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire addressed the case, highlighting his personal connection as a grandfather and father and stressing that this situation exemplifies when bail should be denied.
The Department of Homeland Security has begun examining the suspects’ immigration histories, highlighting the challenges of obtaining comprehensive criminal records from countries like Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the local community has come together to support the Nungaray family. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with funeral costs and offer some financial relief during this challenging period. The fundraising effort has raised over $36,000.
Local law enforcement officials urge anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
