HOUSTON (AP) — Two men who were seen on surveillance footage with a 12-year-old girl before her body was found in a Houston creek earlier this week were arrested Thursday in her death, police said.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, each face a charge of capital murder in the killing of Jocelyn Nungaray, police said. The medical examiner has determined that her cause of death was strangulation.
It was unclear if the two suspects had attorneys yet to speak on their behalf. Their names were not listed in jail or court records as of Thursday afternoon.
Jocelyn’s body was found in the shallow water of a creek early Monday morning. Police have said that she sneaked out of her nearby home the night before.
A bridge crosses a creek Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Houston. Two men who were seen on surveillance footage with a 12-year-old girl hours before her body was found in a Houston creek earlier this week were arrested Thursday, June 20, 2024, in her death, police said. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Police said that surveillance footage showed the men meeting up with Jocelyn before walking to a convenience store with her.
The three then walked to the bridge together where Jocelyn was killed, police said. It was not known yet if Jocelyn knew the men, who were roommates, police said.
Police said the results of a sexual assault exam on the victim are pending.
Police on Tuesday had released photos from the surveillance footage of the two men, who were called persons of interest at that time.
According to NewsNation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed detainers with the Harris County Jail on both men after their arrest, as they came into the country unlawfully from Venezuela. An ICE spokesperson told NewsNation the date and location they entered was unknown. On March 14, Martinez was apprehended by Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas and released on an order of recognizance with a notice to appear. Ramos was released on the same order after being apprehended by Border Patrol on May 28, also near El Paso.
NewsNation contributed to this report.
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