Introduction to a Tragic Event
Tuesday marks one year since 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was discovered dead in a shallow north Houston creek. The event has sparked widespread outrage and calls for stricter immigration legislation from both family members and lawmakers. Jocelyn’s murder became part of the election campaign last year for Republicans such as President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
The Incident and Investigation
Law enforcement officials reported that Nungaray sneaked out of her family’s apartment the night of June 16, 2024. She walked to a convenience store down the street from her home, where she was spotted on surveillance video with two men. Her body was discovered the next morning below a bridge at 400 West Rankin Rd. Days later, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Peña, 26 — two Venezuelan men suspected of being in the country without legal status — were arrested and charged with her murder.
Case Updates
A trial has not yet been set for the men accused in Nungaray’s sexual assault and killing. Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg last year announced her office would seek the death penalty against the men, who are being held in the Harris County Jail on $10 million bonds. Proceedings in the case slowed as attorneys have sought gag orders in the case that’s garnered national attention.
Legislative Calls
The case has sparked legislative calls, with lawmakers seeking changes in an effort to address criminal justice and immigration issues following Nungaray’s death. Her mother, Alexis Nungaray, has been a staunch advocate for increased border security since the death of her daughter. Senate Joint Resolution 1, a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution, and Senate Bill 990, which would have expanded the state’s capital murder statute, were introduced but failed to pass.
Capital Murder Case
A trial has not yet been set in the capital murder cases against Martinez Rangel and Peña. The district attorney’s office, now led by Sean Teare, has filed a notice of its intention to seek the death penalty in the case. The issue of a gag order has arisen again after Ogg appeared on local TV, alleging that Peña was formerly accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Costa Rica.
The Case on the Campaign Trail
Jocelyn Nungaray’s death has been invoked by Trump and state lawmakers to call for tougher crackdowns on immigration. In a presidential debate last year, Trump mentioned her death as one of three recent killings alleged to have been committed by people without legal status. Alexis Nungaray has spoken at Trump rallies, where the president called for mass deportations.
Tribute to Jocelyn Nungaray
In March, Trump signed an executive order to rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Galveston Bay in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray. The executive order cited the girl’s love for animals and passion for ensuring they had homes. Alexis Nungaray was seen next to Trump during his address to the House chamber, when the president announced he would rename the 34,000-acre wildlife refuge east of Houston.
Conclusion
The death of Jocelyn Nungaray has had a profound impact on the community, sparking calls for legislative changes and stricter immigration laws. As the case against the two Venezuelan men accused of her murder continues, the nation remembers the 12-year-old girl who loved animals and had her life cut short. The renaming of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in her honor serves as a tribute to her memory and a reminder of the need for continued action to ensure justice is served.
