Murder of Jocelyn Nungaray: $10 million bail set for Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, second suspect charged with murder of 12-year-old girl in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — At a hearing Tuesday morning, a judge set bail for the second suspect accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was found dead in a north Houston creek last week.

This comes a day after the same judge set $10 million bail for the other capital murder suspect, 26-year-old Franklin Jose Pena Ramos.

The same amount of bail was set for Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 22.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Judge sets $10 million bail for one of capital murder suspects accused of strangling 12-year-old girl

On Tuesday, prosecutors revealed that law enforcement gained access to Martinez-Rangel’s phone and discovered that he had been looking for ways to leave the city.

“However, the big difference is that we looked at Martinez-Rangel’s phone and found evidence that he was looking for ways to leave the country once his image was in the media,” said prosecutor Megan Long to ABC13 after the hearing. “I’m very happy that the judge set this bail amount. I think it’s enough to keep the community safe.”

Both suspects are in custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. So even if they could post bail, they wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.

According to the agency, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Martinez near El Paso on March 14, but he was released the same day on an order to appear in court.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Pena on May 28, also near El Paso. The same day as his arrest, a judge also ordered Pena to appear in court later.

In court Monday, prosecutors said that when Jocelyn was found dead, she was partially clothed and had marks and scrapes on her neck consistent with being dragged.

RELATED: 2 suspects accused of strangling Jocelyn Nungaray waive their right to appear in court, officials say

Investigators are still waiting for test results to determine if she was sexually assaulted.

Judge Hill called Pena’s flight risk “astronomical.” That’s partly because the state says the two suspects, originally from Venezuela and residing in the country illegally, tried to get money to leave the city.

“She was a very special little girl who deserves justice. I know she is going to make a difference in this world for all children, and now it’s my job to make sure that continues to happen ” said Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray. .

Under Texas law, due to Jocelyn’s age, both men are not eligible for the death penalty.

Harris County Prosecutor Kim Ogg said if a sexual assault was found, it would make the case punishable by the death penalty and the state would then not be able to ask for any bond.

Investigators said they believe Jocelyn sneaked out of her home around 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 16.

According to court documents, the two suspects asked her for directions after meeting her on Kuykendahl Road.

Court documents allege the men then lured Jocelyn under a bridge, where they kept her for two hours. She was tied up, had her pants taken off and was strangled, authorities said.

SEE ALSO: 12-year-old girl tied up, pants removed when she was strangled, records show

A passerby found her body floating in a creek shortly before 7 a.m. on June 17.

The state added that Jocelyn and the men were seen on video around 12:57 a.m. June 17 walking near the bayou. At 3:04 a.m., only the two men came out.

An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was strangulation.

The state said it interviewed witnesses who told them they saw the men in Ojos Locos hours before Jocelyn’s murder.

According to another witness, Pena admitted that he and Martinez had done something wrong after partying and were looking for money to leave town.

Both men worked in construction and allegedly asked their boss for funds after explaining what happened, the lead prosecutor told ABC13.

It was also revealed in court Monday that Pena told authorities he tried to tell Martinez to stop, but Martinez then allegedly put his arm around Jocelyn’s neck and covered her mouth.

After her death, Martinez allegedly tied her up and told Pena to put her body in water to remove any DNA. Martinez also allegedly admitted to changing his beard to avoid attention and having a bite mark and scratches on his arm.

After days of investigation, authorities arrested the two men last Thursday at 13355 Northborough Drive, Canfield Lakes Apartments.

“We look forward to continuing to work hard on this case and obtaining justice for Jocelyn,” Long said.

RELATED: HPD believes 12-year-old girl may have snuck out of home before found dead in creek