Two Venezuelan nationals illegally present in the United States are facing the death penalty for the alleged kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Harris County, Texas this past June.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg confirmed on Friday that her office is pursuing capital punishment for Franklin Pena, 26, and Johan Martinez-Rangel, 22. The two men were indicted in September on capital murder charges related to Nungaray's death. Court documents indicate Pena and Rangel are accused of applying pressure to Nungaray's neck, resulting in her death. They are also accused of sexually assaulting the young girl before discarding her body under a bridge.

Franklin Jose Peña Ramos (left) and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel (right) are charged with the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray. (Harris County Jail)

Ogg stated that the decision to seek the death penalty comes after discussions with Nungaray's parents and is based on the gravity of the crime and the strength of the evidence. She emphasized the message this sends, particularly to those in the country illegally, that they will be held accountable under the law.

According to prosecutors, Nungaray was lured away from a convenience store on the evening of June 16th, subsequently kidnapped, and murdered. Reports indicate the suspects may be affiliated with the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Both men had entered the U.S. illegally shortly before the tragic incident occurred.

Jocelyn Nungaray, 12 (Fox Houston courtesy of the Nungaray family)

Assistant District Attorney Michael Abner described the horrific details of the crime, stating the suspects held Nungaray under a bridge for over two hours, removed her clothing, bound her, and ultimately killed her before disposing of her body in the bayou.

Nungaray's mother testified before the House Homeland Security Committee, attributing the tragedy to the Biden-Harris administration's border policies. She stated the suspects were enrolled in an Alternatives to Detention program, which allowed their release into the United States just weeks before her daughter's murder.

Memorial for Jocelyn Nungaray (Getty Images)

District Attorney Ogg criticized current border policies and suggested that stronger measures could have prevented this tragedy. She expressed sympathy for Nungaray's family and called for an end to such crimes committed by individuals who have entered the country illegally.