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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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Police released mugshots Friday of the two men suspected of killing a 12-year-old girl in Houston, Texas, earlier this week in a grisly murder that's gained nationwide attention for the horrific details and the immigration status of the suspects.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, were both charged with capital murder for Jocelyn Nungaray's death, after her body was found in a creek in the early hours of Monday.
The pair, both Venezuelan nationals, entered the United States illegally, a spokesperson for ICE confirmed to Newsweek on Friday afternoon.
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Martinez and Ramos "illegally entered the U.S. without inspection, parole or admission by a U.S. immigration officer on an unknown date and at an unknown location," according to the statement.
Martinez was apprehended by border patrol officials near El Paso on March 14, while Pena was apprehended two months later also near El Paso, according to immigration officials. Both men were released on their own recognizance with notices to appear.
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Houston Police Department said Friday that the girl's cause of death had been strangulation. The local ABC station reported that the suspects allegedly lured her under a bridge, where she remains with them for two hours.
They allegedly took her pants off, tied her up and killed her, before throwing her body into the creek, the outlet reported.
CCTV footage was used to trace the suspects, who were tracked down to an apartment complex in the 13300 block of Northborough Drive and arrested on Thursday. A neighbor told local reporters that one of the men attempted to jump off a balcony to escape but was quickly apprehended.
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"I talked to Jocelyn's mother. She has been very brave, but she is devastated," acting Houston Police Department (HPD) Chief Larry Satterwhite said Thursday. "Her little girl is gone."
The suspects allegedly met Jocelyn on the street Sunday night, before heading to a convenience store. They were then seen on surveillance footage heading toward the bridge where Jocelyn was killed.
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After that, Martinez and Pena were seen walking toward their residence, leaving the little girl's body behind to be found the following morning.
Following their arrests on Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reopened an investigation into the pair.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said now that the pair had been arrested, it was up to the courts.
"Now, we want the justice system to do its job. If there was ever a circumstance where you do not give someone bail, this is it," Whitmire said. "There are circumstances allowed if you can prevent bail.
"Take in consideration flight risk. Take in consideration the severity of this crime. So I'm gonna be monitoring the court system. I want these suspects to have their day in court. I want them to be held accountable and I want it done sooner than later."
A vigil will be held for Jocelyn on Friday evening, between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Houston.
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