Prosecutors in Texas are seeking the death penalty for two illegal immigrants from Venezuela accused of the brutal murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in June.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat, confirmed during an appearance on Fox and Friends that her office will pursue the death penalty against Franklin Pena, 26, and Johan Martinez-Rangel, 22. The two men were indicted in September on capital murder charges connected to Nungaray’s death.

JUST IN: Venezuelan illegal immigrants who are accused of kill*ng 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, lured her under a bridge where they took her clothes off & r*ped her for 2 hours.

The men tied her hands behind her back while they did the unthinkable.

After they were done, the men… pic.twitter.com/co16puNjw9

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 24, 2024

Court documents reveal that Pena and Martinez-Rangel allegedly kidnapped Nungaray, sexually assaulted her, and killed her by applying pressure to her neck. Authorities discovered her body under a bridge. Both suspects had entered the United States illegally shortly before the crime.

Search warrants also indicate that the men may be members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

“We will be filing notice with the state of Texas that we intend to seek the death penalty against Jocelyn’s murderers,” Ogg said. “We are seeking death because we want the message out there that, regardless of who you are, but especially if you are illegally in this country, you will face the same consequences as anyone else for murdering a child during the course of raping and kidnapping.”

Breaking…

Harris County (DA) is seeking the death penalty for the two Illegals that raped and murdered Lil (12) yr old Jocelyn Nungaray

Justice for Jocelyn ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/PFZDZulA7z

— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) December 13, 2024

Ogg explained that her decision was made in consultation with Nungaray’s parents, stating, “We base these decisions on the strength of the evidence and the gruesomeness of this crime. Yes, I’ve spoken with Alexis Nungaray multiple times along with her father. Their family is supportive of this move.”

Prosecutors allege that on June 16, Jocelyn left her mother’s apartment to purchase a soda at a convenience store. There, the suspects reportedly lured her away, abducted her, and held her under a bridge for over two hours. Assistant District Attorney Michael Abner wrote in June that the suspects tied her up, removed her clothing, and ultimately killed her before discarding her body into the bayou, hoping the water would erase evidence.

The horrific crime garnered national attention. In September, Nungaray’s mother testified before the House Homeland Security Committee, highlighting the impact of crimes committed by illegal immigrants on American citizens.

12 year old Jocelyn Nungaray was murdered by two illegal aliens who were let into the country by Kamala Harris. This week, her mother testified to Congress blaming Kamala for Jocelyn's death. The @nytimes blacked it out and refused to cover the hearing.

Let's make it go viral. pic.twitter.com/a68wp8eK7X

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 12, 2024

“Because of the Biden-Harris administration open border policies, catch and release, they were enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program,” she told lawmakers. “This meant that they were released into the United States. It was not even a full three weeks later that they would take my daughter Jocelyn Nungaray’s life.”

Criticism of Border Policies

District Attorney Ogg criticized current border policies under the Biden-Harris administration, blaming them for allowing such crimes to occur.

“The Democratic policies of open borders have failed the American public,” Ogg stated. “If the Justice for Jocelyn Act filed by Senator Ted Cruz or any of the policies that President-elect Trump is pushing had been in effect, then it’s likely that Jocelyn Nungaray would be alive today. These types of horrific crimes committed by illegal immigrants crossing our border have to stop.”