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Suspects in killing of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray are pointing finger at each other over her murder, docs say

Booking photos of Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Pena, 26, now charged with capital murder in the death of 12-yr-old Jocelyn Nungaray on June 17 (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – A new search warrant is providing more details into what happened before and after the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.

Franklin Peña, 26, and Johan Jose Martínez Rangel, 22, are both charged with capital murder in connection to Nungaray’s murder.

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According to the search warrant, detectives interviewed Franklin Pena, who told them he and Rangel went to Ojos Locos bar on June 16. Pena said they arrived around 3 p.m. and didn’t leave until after 10 p.m.

Pena told detectives he and Rangel left the bar on foot and began walking back toward their apartment. He told them they got lost along the way and ended up at the gas station where they met Jocelyn Nungaray.

Pena said Rangel asked Jocelyn for directions and then they all walked down to the area under the bridge where the murder took place.

In the interview, Pena denied touching Jocelyn to detectives and described in graphic detail how he says Rangel killed her. He stated he asked Rangel why he shaved his beard to which Rangel replied, “So that they do not recognize me.” Pena also allegedly told the detectives that he did not know what happened to he and Rangel’s clothes after the murder, but believed Rangel got rid of them.

The warrant also details the conversation between detectives and Johan Jose Martinez Rangel. The warrant said Rangel initially distanced himself from the commission of the murder and claimed Pena was the one solely responsible for Jocelyn’s death. After continuous denials, the warrant says Rangel eventually admitted to tying Jocelyn’s legs together and telling Pena to throw her in the bayou because the water would wash off DNA.

The two suspects, who are Venezuelan nationals, entered the country illegally, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Martinez-Rangel was apprehended by Border Patrol agents near El Paso on March 14 and Peña was apprehended on May 28, also near El Paso. The statement said it is unknown exactly when or where the men crossed the border. Both were released and given notices to appear in court at a later date.

Both Peña and Martinez-Rangel are now under immigration holds by federal authorities, meaning they would remain in custody even if they could post bond.


About the Author

Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up. He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing.

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