Two Venezuelan nationals accused of killing 12-year-old Houston girl were in the country illegally and released by Border Patrol | State

Houston, TX – Two Venezuelan nationals accused of murdering a 12-year-old Houston girl were in the United States illegally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The body of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was discovered near a creek off West Rankin Road near the North Freeway, just steps from her home in Houston, Texas. Investigators believe she slipped out of her home on Sunday, June 16, 2024, and her body was found the next day.

Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, are charged with capital murder in Nungaray’s death.

According to court documents, the men lured Jocelyn under a bridge, where they held her for more than two hours, took off her pants, tied her up and strangled her before dumping her body in the bayou. Surveillance footage captured Martinez and Ramos leaving a restaurant Sunday evening and speaking with Jocelyn before accompanying her to a convenience store and later to the bridge where she was killed.

ICE said agents from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston filed immigration detainers against Martinez and Ramos. The two men allegedly entered the United States illegally without inspection, parole or admission by a U.S. immigration officer. Martinez was apprehended near El Paso, Texas, on March 14 and released the same day with a summons. Similarly, Pena was arrested near El Paso on May 28 and released under similar conditions.

“It’s horrible. If guilty, these two men should receive the death penalty for this horrible crime,” said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. “These men are illegal aliens and Jocelyn Nungaray would still be alive and with her family if not for Joe Biden’s open border policy. The Biden administration is directly responsible for this. My heart goes out to Jocelyn’s family. We must justice for them Joe Biden is by apology: he must reinstate Remain in Mexico and end catch and release immediately, otherwise we will lose even more innocent lives There is no time for them. half measures: we need to look at what works and do it now.”

Houston police are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.