Houston Police Charge Two Roommates with Capital Murder in Death of 12-Year-Old Jocelyn Nungaray

Houston, Texas: The body of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was found in a bayou on June 17, and Houston police have charged two roommates, 22-year-old Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and 26-year-old Franklin Peña, with capital murder.

I talked to Jocelyn's mother, Alexis, and she's been very brave but she is still devastated. Her little girl is gone. -- Acting Houston police chief Larry J. Satterwhite

The Investigation:

• Citizen discovers Jocelyn's body; ruled as strangulation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences [https://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2024/jun/nr240621-3.htm]
• Houston police arrest Martinez-Rangel and Peña at their shared apartment on June 20
• Surveillance photos from 7-Eleven released, leading to identification of suspects
• Police trace movements of suspects and victim, with help from public tips

The Suspects:

• Peña and Martinez-Rangel met Jocelyn as they left a restaurant, asked for directions, and then accompanied her
• Jocelyn was assaulted, had her hands bound, and was strangled to death at a bridge, per prosecutors [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/jocelyn-nungaray-bond-set-franlin-pena-19531831.php]
• Both suspects are Venezuelan natives; Martinez-Rangel is a father of two with no criminal history

The Legal Proceedings:

• A Harris County judge sets $10 million bonds for both suspects, charged with capital murder
• Peña and Martinez-Rangel have court appearances scheduled for September
• Houston Mayor John Whitmire advocates for no bail: "If there was ever a circumstance where you do not give someone bail, this is it."
• During bail hearing, Peña blames Martinez-Rangel for parts of the assault and death; prosecutors reveal Martinez-Rangel's attempts to avoid detection and leave the country

I want karma to hit them. I’m angry. They took advantage of her. She’s so young. She’s 12. I want justice. They took my baby away. -- Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray [https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/06/19/they-took-away-my-first-born-mother-shares-heartfelt-plea-for-answers-after-12-year-old-daughter-found-strangled/]