Texas authorities say immigration status of 12-year-old girl’s suspected killers unknown

Two males, whose immigration status is unknown to police, have been charged in the killing of a 12-year-old Houston lady who was discovered strangled to demise in a creek this week, police stated. 

Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, had been linked to the demise of Jocelyn Nungaray and face capital murder charges, the Houston Police Department stated Thursday. 

“It’s just an overwhelming sense of relief to know they’re just not out there,” Nungaray’s mom, Alexis Nungaray, advised Fox Houston.

Investigators used surveillance video to trace the actions of Martinez and Ramos earlier than and after the killing, Houston police Lt. Stephen Hope stated. 

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Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was discovered strangled to demise in a Houston creek this week. (Fox Houston courtesy of the Nungaray household)

Earlier this week, Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated Nungaray was at a comfort retailer and was speaking to her 13-year-old boyfriend on the telephone after sneaking out of her household’s house. The boyfriend advised investigators that he might hear Nungaray speaking with two individuals. 

Martinez and Ramos began their night at a restaurant collectively on Sunday evening, police stated.

They left the restaurant and walked southbound once they had been noticed on digicam, police stated. They had been later seen assembly with Nungaray and speaking to her for a couple of minutes. Later, Rangel Martinez and Pena Ramos, together with Jocelyn, walked to a 7-Eleven comfort retailer.

Authorities this week launched photos taken from surveillance video from the 7-Eleven the place Nungaray was final seen.  

Afterward, the three of them walked to a bridge, where investigators stated Nungaray was murdered. Rangel Martinez and Pena Ramos then walked to the house they shared and left the girl’s physique behind, police stated. Police consider the pair lived in the identical house advanced as Nungaray.

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Video picture of Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and picture of Jocelyn Nungaray. The males are charged within the demise of the 12-year-old Houston lady.  (Houston Police Department; Fox Houston Courtesy of the Nungaray household)

Alexis Nungaray stated her daughter presumably noticed the pair round, however was not recognized to speak to strangers. 

“Maybe they were seen in the complex, but she normally wouldn’t walk around,” she advised the information station.

The Harris County health worker reported that Jocelyn died because of this of strangulation. Authorities couldn’t verify if the lady was sexually assaulted. 

When questioned about reviews that the boys are from Venezuela, police declined to reply and stated their legal status had not but been verified as of Thursday. 

“We have reached out to HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and they are conducting that part of the investigation in terms of their status, and legality here, and those types of things. So, I would defer you to them on the confirmation of those things,” Acting Police Chief Acting Chief Larry J. Satterwhite advised reporters. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). 

Following the arrests, Whitmire stated the court system has to do its job and guarantee each suspects are tried in a well timed method. 

Houston police Lt. Stephen Hope at a information convention speaking about Nungaray’s homicide. (Houston Police Department)

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“We’re gonna be watching you; the arrests have taken place, and the charges have been filed. Now, we want the justice system to do its job. If there was ever a circumstance where you do not give someone bail, this is it,” he stated.