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EXCLUSIVE: The mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, a Houston girl who was tragically killed last June allegedly by Venezuelan illegal immigrants, is vocally supporting military action against suspected members of the Tren de Aragua narco-terrorist group. Her plea for justice underscores the urgency of addressing drug-related violence across the United States.
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military forces executed a strike resulting in the deaths of 11 reputed narco-terrorists linked to Tren de Aragua on a drug boat in the southern Caribbean. This operation highlights the administration’s ongoing commitment to preventing dangerous narcotics from infiltrating U.S. neighborhoods.
“This decisive strike demonstrates real strength, and I urge continued action until every one of these criminals is removed from our streets and our hemisphere,” expressed Alexis Nungaray, recalling the loss of her daughter.
In a video produced by The American Border Story, an initiative aimed at revealing the human consequences of the U.S. border crisis through investigative storytelling, Nungaray shared her harrowing experience of tracking her daughter’s phone to a skate park just two minutes from their home.
Upon arrival, she was met by law enforcement and the stark scene of crime scene tape, where she learned of her daughter’s tragic fate.
“Before I could even park, an officer was walking towards me. I frantically stated I was searching for my daughter, who was supposed to be here. He diverted me from the area of the tape, saying this situation was something else but advised me to keep my phone handy,” she recounted.
Homicide detectives later confirmed that her daughter had been sexually assaulted prior to her murder.
“She fought back, leaving marks on her attackers. She bit them, scratched them, and even managed to retain their DNA under her nails. When she realized she might not escape, she took measures to help identify them. It’s heartbreaking that she had to do this, but it showcases an incredible courage from such a young child,” Nungaray remarked.
Jocelyn’s alleged murderers have been identified as Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26. Both are illegal Venezuelan immigrants.
Pena was previously charged with raping an American tourist in Costa Rica, and both men reportedly have connections to Tren de Aragua, a foreign terrorist organization.
Martinez-Rangel displayed social media associations with the gang, featuring emojis linked to Tren de Aragua, according to search warrants provided by local affiliates.
These men were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas, in early 2024 but were released under the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy shortly after their illegal entry into the United States. Jocelyn’s murder occurred just months later.
Following Jocelyn’s death, Nungaray noted that both suspects faced capital murder charges in El Paso yet were quickly re-released into the community. They have since been placed under immigration detainers as prosecutors pursue the death penalty.
“The individuals who took my daughter’s life do not belong here. They were allowed to roam free due to the lenient immigration policies,” she argued. “Jocelyn should have never had to face them. She deserved to come home safely.”
Expressing her concerns, Nungaray mentioned her belief that unvetted immigrants often pose different threats compared to those who migrate legally.
“This reality is frightening. I still have another child, and I worry about his safety. If not for President Trump, I am uncertain where we would be amidst these rising concerns,” she said. “He has made significant, positive changes in such a short time, demonstrating a genuine desire to ensure our safety as American citizens.”
In March, President Trump honored Jocelyn’s memory by issuing an executive order to rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge as the
