Who is Jocelyn Nungaray? Houston girl mentioned during Trump speech on Venezuela strike
Jocelyn Nungaray: Forever 12
One year ago, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally raped and murdered in Houston. Her killing fueled a nationwide rallying call and outrage centered around illegal immigration. It also raised questions around bond reform. It sparked efforts to ensure that a death like this never happens again. We take a look back at the case, her mother's quest for justice and what changes have been made.
HOUSTON - During a press conference regarding the US' strike on Venezuela, a Houston 12-year-old was mentioned as a victim of suspected Venezuelan gang members who came into the country illegally.
MORE: Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela after Maduro captured
Who is Jocelyn Nungaray?
The backstory:
Jocelyn Nungaray was a 12-year-old girl from Houston.
Nungaray went missing overnight in June 2024. She was later found dead in a shallow creek near her family's apartment.
INITIAL REPORT: Rankin Road death: Body of 12-year-old girl found in creek, police asking for help
Two men were later arrested and charged with capital murder: Franklin Pena and Johan Martinez. Both are accused of bringing Nungaray under a bridge, assaulting her, killing her, and throwing her body into a bayou.
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'IT'S AN EYE FOR AN EYE': Prosecutors seek death penalty for suspects in Jocelyn Nungaray murder case
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty against Franklin Pena and Johan Martinez-Rangel, accused of the brutal murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray, supports the decision, seeing it as a justified response to the heinous crime. The suspects, illegal migrants from Venezuela, are charged with murder, rape, and kidnapping, and their trial is scheduled for February.
It was later learned that both suspects were in the U.S. illegally from Venezuela. Search warrants then claimed the two were possibly members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.
Texas prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for both suspects.
Click here for the latest on the Jocelyn Nungaray case.
Trump renames wildlife refuge after Jocelyn
President Trump renames wildlife refuge for Jocelyn Nungaray
During an address to Congress, President Donald Trump announced that he named a wildlife refuge near Galveston Bay in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray.
Dig deeper:
President Trump's mention of Jocelyn Nungaray on Saturday was not the first time.
During his joint address to Congress in March, the president announced the renaming of Texas' Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge.
Chambers County: Wildlife refuge officially renamed after Jocelyn Nungaray
The Jocelyn Nungary National Wildlife Refuge has officially been given its new name, honoring a 12-year-old who was killed in Houston. FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia attended the renaming ceremony and spoke one-on-one with Jocelyn's mother.
He talked about Jocelyn's love for animals and signed an executive order directing the name change.
Jocelyn's mother, Alexis, was present during the president's address and said the announcement in her daughter's honor was a surprise.
MORE: Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge renaming ceremony held
The Source: Information in this report comes from previous FOX 26 Houston reporting.