Southwest
Jocelyn Nungaray was sexually assaulted before alleged murder by illegal immigrants, family says
Jocelyn Nungaray, the 12-year-old girl allegedly killed by illegal immigrants in Texas, was sexually assaulted before being strangled, according to her family and recent forensic tests.
Nungaray’s family confirmed to FOX 26 Houston on Tuesday that she was sexually assaulted before she was killed.
Two Venezuelan nationals – 21-year-old Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and 26-year-old Franklin Jose Peña Ramos – are charged with capital murder in connection with her death. The two men crossed illegally into the U.S. earlier this year.
Both suspects are accused of luring her under a bridge, strangling her and leaving her for dead in a creek.
JOCELYN NUNGARAY MURDER: TEXAS COUNTY DUBBED ‘SANCTUARY FOR CRIMINALS’ AS DEM DA TRIES TO SHIFT BLAME
Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was found strangled to death in a Houston creek. (Fox Houston courtesy of the Nungaray family)
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office received the lab results in connection with the investigation into Nungaray’s death.
While the test results show she appeared to have been sexually assaulted, as semen was found on her, the DNA match has not come back yet, a source close to the investigation told Fox News.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to Fox News it will have “no comment on the evidence in this case until the appropriate time.” The Houston Forensic Science Center declined to provide details.
The family now awaits the court’s acknowledgment of the new evidence, and seeks a revoked bond as they look for justice in Nungaray’s death.
Her grandfather, Kelvin Alvarenga, told FOX 26 that it is going to be nearly impossible for the family to “get rid of this feeling of loss.”
If the suspects are found guilty of sexual assault, they would be eligible for the death penalty, which Nungaray’s family opposes because they would rather the suspects sit with what they did for the rest of their lives.
“I want them to remember Jocy the rest of their life,” Melfri Vargas, Alvarenga’s wife, told FOX 26. “I want, every time they go to sleep, they remember what they did and show the others you don’t mess with our child, you don’t mess with the United States, you don’t mess with Texas.”
Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, left, and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, right, have been charged in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas. (Harris County Jail)
With the suspects in this case being two illegal immigrants, the little girl’s death has sparked political discourse over U.S. immigration policy.
“I want them not to just use my granddaughter as a political base, but to know her name is Jocelyn Nungaray,” Alvarenga told FOX 26. “We just want to make a difference for Jocy. We don’t want Jocy’s memory or name to be easily forgotten.”
Alvarenga would like the individuals responsible for Nungaray’s death to face life without parole, stressing the importance of them being reminded every day of what they did to the girl.
“I rather for them to remember this in general population,” he said. “Life without parole, that way they can remember every night when they go to bed, the horrific deal that they did to our family.”
Her family said they are grateful for the support they have received from city and state leaders, and former President Trump.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT ACCUSED OF KILLING JOCELYN NUNGARAY WORE ICE ANKLE MONITOR
Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was sexually assaulted before being strangled, according to recent forensic tests. (Getty Images)
“God bless him, because at the telling of the day, I wouldn’t want my daughter’s accident to go as another statistic for the city of Houston or the state of Texas. With former President Trump reaching out, my blessings to him and God bless him,” Alvarenga said.
Nungaray’s mother, Alexis, has been struggling in the aftermath of her daughter’s death, family told FOX 26. Nungaray also had a 5-year-old brother who the family said asks for his sister every day and wishes to be with her.
“She’s a single mom and one of the hardest things for her and us to explain to a 5-year-old that his Cici will not be at home anymore,” Vargas said. “He asks when is he going to see Cici. We try to explain the best way we can to a little one. It’s not an easy thing to do. He always asks for her, he wants to go see her.”
The two suspects are due back in court in September.
Fox News’ Nate Foy contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Los Angeles, Ca
Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
Los Angeles, Ca
Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
Los Angeles, Ca
Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
-
Idaho3 minutes agoIdahoans left to deal with rat problem in the Treasure Valley for another year
-
Illinois6 minutes agoIllinois in the trenches again to protect fair housing
-
Indiana11 minutes agoHow to watch Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks: Time, channel
-
Iowa18 minutes ago
After two decades, Iowa Events Center could get a new operator
-
Kansas21 minutes agoMeet Mohammad Abualnadi: The Kansas City native making World Cup history with Jordan
-
Kentucky26 minutes agoKentucky Arts Council's Celebrating the Black Experience Art Exhibit to visit NKY in November
-
Louisiana33 minutes agoPolls open for Louisiana runoff election | Everything you need to know
-
Maine36 minutes ago
Maine Marine Patrol launches newest, largest patrol vessel in its fleet