HOUSTON — Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday morning that her office will seek the death penalty against the two men charged in the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray earlier this summer.
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Pena, two Venezuelan nationals, are charged with sexual assault and murder in the 12-year-old girl’s death on June 16. Both are accused of committing the horrific crime after entering the United States illegally earlier this year. According to Ogg’s office, one of the men was still wearing an ankle monitor from a prior immigration detention when he was arrested in connection with Jocelyn's death.
Ogg’s office said they are filing official notice Friday with the judge in the case stating their intention to seek the death penalty in the case. Notice is also being provided to both defendants and their attorneys.
Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Pena, 26, are being held in the Harris County Jail. Bond has been set at $10 million for each suspect.
According to the charges, the two men are accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and strangling the girl.
Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn's mother, has been outspoken about the case, both emotionally and politically. Speaking about her support for the death penalty, Alexis reflected on the agonizing decision her family had to make.
"Yes, we debated it quite a bit. But after doing some thinking, I do fully support Kim Ogg and the DA's office in pushing for the death penalty because, you know, it's an eye for an eye," she said. "They took my daughter's life. She's no longer here anymore. And I hate that they're living, breathing and thriving every single day. They still get to be here, while she does not."
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, and Alexis has used her platform to raise awareness of her daughter's case, advocating for justice and attracting attention across the nation. The murder has also fueled debates around illegal immigration and border security.
According to court documents, the girl's mother said she snuck out of their apartment the night before after her brother went to bed. Jocelyn's body was found in a north Houston creek, sparking an investigation to find out what happened to her.
Houston police said Jocelyn was walking on Kuhkendahl Road when two men, later identified as Peña and Martinez-Rangel, asked her for directions.
The three of them then walked to a 7-Eleven store before the men allegedly lured Jocelyn to a bridge on West Rankin Road. Police said they were there for a couple of hours and they tied her up, took her pants off, strangled her, and dumped her in the creek.
Three days after the discovery, on June 20, Peña and Martinez-Rangel were taken into custody at the Canfield Lakes apartments on Northborough Drive.
Ogg said the two men crossed into the United States from Mexico illegally earlier this year. Both were detained by Border Patrol agents but were released on their promise to appear in court at a later date.