Houston, TX — New findings have emerged from a recent search warrant regarding the tragic death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, revealing a sinister blame game between the two suspects, each pointing fingers at the other for the heinous crime.
Johan Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Peña, both facing charges of capital murder, have been implicated in the killing of Jocelyn. The disturbing details came to light after detectives from Houston Police Department (HPD) interrogated each suspect following their apprehension. During their individual questioning sessions, both suspects deflected responsibility onto one another.
According to the search warrant issued on July 12, the unsettling series of events began on the evening of June 16. Peña recounted to investigators that after leaving an Ojos Locos bar in North Houston at around 10 p.m., he and Martinez-Rangel, ostensibly lost, stopped by a 7-11 store to ask for directions. It was here they encountered Jocelyn.
The warrant details a chilling narrative given by Peña, where he accused Martinez-Rangel of first kissing Jocelyn unexpectedly and then escalating the assault under a bridge along Rankin Road. Martinez-Rangel allegedly became violent, assaulting and then strangling the young girl, before disposing of her body in the nearby bayou.
During his confession, Peña insisted he intervened, trying to stop Martinez-Rangel, to no avail. He claimed he witnessed Martinez-Rangel attempting to conceal his identity by cutting his beard and disposing of their possibly incriminating clothes. Peña maintained that he did not partake in the physical or sexual assault of Jocelyn, although his statements and the responses of Martinez-Rangel provide conflicting accounts.
Martinez-Rangel, on the other hand, initially distanced himself from the incident and was uncooperative with the detectives. Upon extending the interview, he admitted only to tying the victim’s hands and feet, and he implicated Peña in disposing of Jocelyn’s body in the bayou to potentially wash away DNA evidence.
As the investigation intensified, the search warrant was extended to probe deeper into Martinez-Rangel’s cellphone records, seeking to map out their movements and activities on the night of the murder. Both suspects exhibited injuries on their arms upon arrest, the causes of which remain undisclosed, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
Both Martinez-Rangel and Peña remain detained on a $10 million bond each, awaiting further court proceedings while held in custody.
The community and local authorities are deeply shaken by the tragic loss of Jocelyn Nungaray. As the investigation unfolds, this case continues to grip the city with its harrowing details and the grim reminder of the vulnerability of youth in the face of such brutality. Additional evidentiary developments are anticipated as forensic technicians and detectives work to piece together the sequence of events that led to Jocelyn’s untimely death.