HOUSTON, TEXAS - The Houston Police Department (HPD) reports that charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the death of a juvenile female found at 400 West Rankin Road about 6:15 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024.
The suspects, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Pena, 26, are charged with capital murder in the 232nd State District Court. Booking photos of both suspects are attached to this news release.
The victim has been identified as Jocelyn Nungaray, age 12.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Olive and Detective T. Tyler reported:
HPD patrol officers responded to a person down call at the above address and found the body of a female in a shallow creek. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators believed foul play was involved.
Further investigation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences identified Ms. Nungaray as the victim and her cause of death as strangulation.
A preliminary investigation and evidence from the scene identified two male persons of interest. Surveillance photos of those individuals were released on Tuesday (June 18).
Subsequent investigation and tips from witnesses identified the suspects as Martinez-Rangel and Pena. On Thursday (June 20), officers with the HPD Northbelt Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team, SWAT team and the Gang and Homicide Divisions located Martinez-Rangel and Pena at an apartment complex in the 13300 block of Northborough Drive. Both men were arrested without incident. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and the two suspects were subsequently charged for their roles in this incident.
Anyone with additional information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
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ORIGINAL RELEASE:
Investigation into Death of Female Found at 400 West Rankin Road
JUNE 17, 2024
Houston police are awaiting autopsy results in the death of a juvenile female found at 400 West Rankin Road about 6:15 a.m. today (June 17).
The identity of the female, 12, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Olive and Detective T. Tyler reported:
HPD patrol officers responded to a person down call at the above address and found the body of the female in the shallow water of a creek.
Investigators believe there is foul play involved in the female’s death. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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BELOW: Link to Houston Police Department Facebook video of media update from Monday, June 17, 2024.
News Briefing on Female Found at 400 West Rankin Road
Acting Chief @SatterwhiteLJ @HouMayor John Whitmire and homicide detectives provide an update into the investigation of a female found at 400 West Rankin Road this morning.
https://www.facebook.com/Houstonpolice/videos/2846148225533614
