WPBN: For the horrible rape and murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, who was 12 years old, two illegal Venezuelan migrants are suspected of committing the crime. On Friday morning, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg made the announcement that she will pursue the death penalty for the two individuals.
These two individuals, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, age 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, age 26, were taken into custody in June and accused with the horrible murder. During an interview with Lawrence Jones, who is also a co-host of “Fox and Friends,” Ogg discussed her choice to pursue the maximum penalty that is permitted by Texas law.
“We’ll be filing notice by the state of Texas that we intend to seek the death penalty against Jocelyn’s murderers, Pena and Rangel,” Ogg stated. “Both were Venezuelan nationals who entered this country illegally and, within days, committed the horrific acts of raping and murdering Jocelyn Nungaray. This case warrants the death penalty because of the egregious nature of the crime.”
The practices of the Biden administration regarding the border were harshly attacked by Ogg, who asserted that Jocelyn’s murder should have been avoided.
“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 President-elect Trump is advocating had been in place, Jocelyn would likely still be alive today.”
Justice for Jocelyn Act is a piece of legislation that was sponsored by Senator Cruz with the intention of enhancing border security measures and increasing the number of those who are required to be detained for unlawfully entering the nation. Ogg brought attention to the fact that the tragedy could have been avoided with more stringent enforcement.
“If these individuals had been detained as they should have been, Jocelyn would still be here,” Ogg continued. “This crime didn’t have to happen, and the lack of enforcement at our borders played a direct role in her death.”
As a result of the high-profile killings of Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, and nursing student Laken Riley, illegal immigration has become a prominent topic in the presidential election that will take place in 2024. On November 20th, the person responsible for Riley’s death was given a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole in the state of Georgia.
In her statement, Ogg stated her support for working with Tom Homan, who will be the “Border Czar” of President-elect Trump, to address the issue of illegal immigration and prevent violent crimes committed by persons who are not in possession of proper documentation.
“It’s about time we work with the border czar to stop violent criminals from crossing into our state, killing our citizens, and committing horrific acts,” Ogg stated. “I’m hopeful that new policies and Senator Cruz’s legislation will bring about the changes we desperately need.”
The choice to seek the death penalty emphasizes how serious the offense was and how it affected the community. “Regardless of who you are, but especially if you are here illegally, you will face the same consequences as anyone else for committing such atrocious crimes,” Ogg said, underscoring the significance of delivering a clear message.
Ensuring justice for Jocelyn Nungaray and addressing the wider ramifications of border security and public safety continue to be the key priorities as the case progresses.
