Current:Home > MarketsJudge sets $10 million bond for Venezuelan man accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl-LoTradeCoin
Judge sets $10 million bond for Venezuelan man accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl
View Date:2025-01-13 22:52:35
HOUSTON (AP) — A judge in Texas set bond of $10 million Monday for an undocumented Venezuelan man accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl whose body was found in a creek after she disappeared during a walk to a convenience store.
Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, is one of two men charged with capital murder in the girl’s death. The other is Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22.
Peña’s bond was set during a court hearing in which prosecutors told state District Judge Josh Hill that he and Martinez-Rangel tried to flee the Houston area after the killing.
The two men are Venezuelan nationals who entered the United States illegally in March, according to a statement Friday from the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. U.S. Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas, arrested Martinez-Rangel on March 14 and Peña on March 28. Both were released with orders to appear in court at a later date.
Immigration is a top concern for voters, with many saying President Joe Biden hasn’t been doing enough to secure the country’s borders. Earlier this month, Biden unveiled plans to enact immediate significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Both Peña and Martinez-Rangel are now under immigration holds by federal authorities, meaning they would remain in custody even if they could post bond. Martinez-Rangel is set to appear in court to review his bond status on Tuesday.
The body of the girl they are accused of killing was found June 17 in a shallow creek after police said she sneaked out of her nearby home the night before. She was strangled to death, according to the medical examiner.
The suspects allegedly lured the girl under a bridge and remained with her there for more than two hours, according to court documents.
Prosecutors allege the men took off her pants, tied her up and killed her before throwing her body in the bayou. It doesn’t appear that the two men knew the 12-year-old, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
“Make no mistake, this is a horrific crime,” Ogg said during a news conference following Peña’s court hearing.
Lisa Andrews, a court-appointed attorney for Peña, did not immediately reply to a call and email seeking comment.
The victim’s mother remembered her daughter on Monday as someone who was quirky and “definitely made people laugh.”
“I’m always going to remember those memories because she had such a bright future ahead of her and I knew she was going to go very far,” she said. “These monsters took that opportunity from her, from her family.”
Police arrested Martinez-Rangel and Peña, who investigators said were roommates, on Thursday. Authorities said surveillance video showed two men approaching the girl before walking to a Houston convenience store with her. The three then walked together to a bridge, where the girl was killed, police said. The Associated Press is withholding the victim’s name because it does not name possible victims of sexual assault.
The girl’s grandfather said Monday that his granddaughter’s death could have been prevented if the country’s immigration system had been “redone.”
“I don’t believe that everyone who crosses the border is bad. But within them, there are some who are,” he said. “Why not take some more time and investigate these people who come here?”
Ogg said the capital murder charges Peña and Martinez-Rangel face are not death penalty eligible. But if additional DNA testing or other evidence shows the victim was sexually assaulted or kidnapped, the death penalty would be possible, she said.
___
Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
veryGood! (422)
Related
- Joan says 'Yes!' to 'Golden Bachelorette' finale fantasy beach proposal. Who did she pick?
- Fantasy football rankings for Week 9: Dolphins' Raheem Mostert rises to top spot among RBs
- Dexter Wade's mom seeks federal probe after he's killed by Mississippi police car, buried without her knowing
- Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd Reunite for Halloween With Son Amid Divorce
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Tim Scott secures spot in third GOP debate following campaign strategy overhaul
- I Bond interest rate hits 5.27% with fixed rate boost: What investors should know
- Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 win over Diamondbacks in Game 5
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- When Kim Kardashian's nipple bra dropped, some people laughed. Breast cancer patients rejoiced.
Ranking
- Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu
- Indiana high court finds state residents entitled to jury trial in government confiscation cases
- Baton Rouge police officer arrested in deadly crash, allegedly ran red light at 79 mph
- Denmark drops cases against former defense minister and ex-spy chief charged with leaking secrets
- California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
- 'The Golden Bachelor' offers more years, same tears
- Cooking spray burn victim awarded $7.1 million in damages after can ‘exploded into a fireball’
- Watch Long Island Medium’s Theresa Caputo Bring Drew Barrymore Audience Member to Tears
Recommendation
-
Avril Lavigne’s Ex Mod Sun Is Dating Love Is Blind Star Brittany Wisniewski, Debuts Romance With a Kiss
-
Best states to live in, 2023. See where your state ranks for affordability, safety and more.
-
Travis Kelce Reacts to Halloween Costumes Inspired by Taylor Swift Romance
-
Where Dorit Kemsley's Marriage Really Stands After Slamming Divorce Rumors
-
3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
-
Alex Murdaugh doesn’t want the judge from his murder trial deciding if he gets a new day in court
-
Submissions for Ring's $1 million alien footage contest are here and they are hilarious
-
Baton Rouge police officer arrested in deadly crash, allegedly ran red light at 79 mph