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Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg revealed that one of the suspects charged in the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray is now accused of raping an American woman in Costa Rica.
The suspects, Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, both Venezuelan illegal immigrants with possible ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, are facing charges in the murder of the 12-year-old girl in June 2024. The indictment alleges that they sexually assaulted and strangled the victim before leaving her body tied up in a bayou in Houston.
According to Ogg, before her successor Sean Teare took over as District Attorney, she discovered during her investigation that Pena Ramos had been implicated in a previous sexual assault case involving an American woman in Costa Rica while she was reportedly on vacation.
“It happened in Costa Rica. It happened to an American citizen who came forward with that information after their pictures were shown on national television,” Ogg told the outlet. “When she reported it to the authorities in Costa Rica, they did nothing. Imagine the frustration of that individual. I don’t want that to be swept under the carpet.”
“I support immigration, but I say there’s just a right way and a wrong way to do it,” she explained. “He’s protecting the people, and he’s taking consideration to the people, us the citizens and making sure we’re safe and our kids are safe, women are safe, that we’re all safe in our communities.”
“We’ve still got a long way to go,” she went on. “But I will always advocate for her and be her voice and stand up for better border control and immigration laws. Because I know 1 million percent, Jocelyn’s death should have been preventable.”
Pena Ramos illegally crossed into El Paso, Texas, in May 2024, sources with the Department of Homeland Security previously confirmed to Fox News. He was caught by Border Patrol agents and was released into the U.S. with a Notice to Appear in court.
Rangel Martinez also crossed illegally into El Paso in March and was caught by Border Patrol. He was released into the U.S. on an unknown basis.
Jocelyn had been at a convenience store and was talking to her 13-year-old boyfriend on the phone after sneaking out of her family’s apartment. The boyfriend told investigators that he could hear Nungaray talking with two people.
Fox News’ Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
