Two men have been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Houston. Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, are facing capital murder charges in connection to the death of Jocelyn Nungaray. The young girl was found strangled to death in a creek earlier this week.
Investigators were able to track the movements of Martinez and Ramos using surveillance video footage. The two men were seen meeting with Nungaray after leaving a restaurant together. They were later captured on camera at a 7-Eleven convenience store where Nungaray was last seen before her murder. The men then walked to a bridge where Nungaray was killed. Authorities believe that Martinez and Ramos lived in the same apartment complex as Nungaray.
The mother of the victim, Alexis Nungaray, expressed relief that the suspects were apprehended. She mentioned that her daughter possibly saw the pair around but was not known to talk to strangers. The Harris County medical examiner determined that Jocelyn died from strangulation, but it is unclear whether she was sexually assaulted.
When asked about the immigration status of the suspects, the police declined to comment, stating that Homeland Security Investigations are handling that part of the investigation. It has been reported that the men may be from Venezuela, but their legal status has not been confirmed.
Following the arrests, Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized the importance of the justice system ensuring that both suspects are tried promptly. He mentioned that given the severity of the crime, bail should not be granted to the suspects.
The tragic death of Jocelyn Nungaray has brought attention to the issue of immigration status and criminal activities. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate cases involving individuals of unknown immigration status to ensure the safety of the community. Additionally, the timely prosecution of suspects in such cases is vital to deliver justice to the victims and their families.