A pair of suspects in the heartbreaking case of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was tragically found killed in a north Houston creek, are now in the grip of the law, with the state expected to request a $10 million bond for the second suspect, Johan Jose Martinez Rangel. ABC13 reported that Martinez, following his apprehension in March, was released on an order of recognizance, despite ICE's knowledge of his illegal status in the United States.

Facing similar charges to Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, whose bond was set at $10 million by a judge on Monday, Martinez is under ICE custody, which effectively blocks his potential release even if the bond is posted, a revelation that has thrown a glaring spotlight upon the complexities and flaws of our immigration enforcement. ICE had previously released Pena on the same day he was apprehended, a fact that Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg referred to as a "broken" system, "Our immigration system is broken and if there’s ever a case that reflects that it’s this one," she said according to a statement obtained by FOX 26 Houston.

Prosecutors have painted a gruesome picture of Nungaray's last moments, reporting evidence of being dragged, partially clothed, with scrapes on her neck; they await further tests to confirm if she endured sexual assault before her death. The investigation has revealed that the suspects were spotted on video with Jocelyn hours before her body was discovered, walking down by a bayou late at night, and only the two men emerged later.

Migrating deeper into the labyrinth of this unfolding tragedy, ICE's monitoring system—alternatives to detention—is scrutinized in the face of Martinez and Pena's alleged actions. "If somebody alters or removes it, it may be difficult for immigration to actually locate them after that process. Immigration may know their last whereabouts, but they may be unable to detect them later on," Alexis Lucero, an immigration defense attorney discussed the potential for individuals to sidestep the tracking measures, posed by ICE's ankle monitors and limited service cell phones which are checked semiannually in meetings with the agency, now ICE knows their last whereabouts but they may be unable to detect them later on, said Lucero in an interview with FOX 26 Houston.

"She was a very special little girl that deserves her justice. I know she is going to make a difference in this world for all children, and now it's my job to make sure it continues to happen," Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray, shared a heartfelt reflection with ABC13 in her determination to honor her daughter's memory.