Rockford Sun

Illinois 11th Congressional District candidate Jerry Evans has emphasized the need for border security in a recent statement. "It's time we secure the border and start protecting American citizens," he said, adding that he would fight to secure the border if elected to Congress. Evans made this statement in a June 22 Facebook post.

"Lately, there's been an increase of horrific crimes, being committed by illegal imigrants," said Evans, according to Facebook. "It's time we secure the border and start protecting American citizens. When elected into Congress, I will fight to secure the border and protect our Nations Sovereignty, while keeping americans safe."

In his post, Evans shared a link to a CBS Austin news story about illegal migrants accused of killing Joceyln Nungaray. The article noted that the two men accused, Johann Jose Martinez Rangel and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, are Venezuelan citizens who were released by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents following their apprehension for illegally entering the U.S. in March.

Screenshot of Jerry Evans for Congress June 22 Facebook post | Jerry Evans for Congress Facebook page

According to a June 21 article from the Associated Press, prosecutors in Houston filed capital murder charges against the two men. The article says that according to court documents, the two men lured Nungaray under a bridge and were there for more than two hours before they undressed her, tied her up, and strangled her. The article notes that Nungaray was found in a shallow creek the morning after she snuck out of her house. Martinez was first arrested on March 14 near El Paso and released with an order to appear at a later date. Pena was arrested on March 28 and released with an order to appear at a later date.

A news release from the Houston Police Department (HPD) stated that patrol officers responded to a person down call and found Nungaray’s body in a shallow creek. Following further investigation, members of the HPD Northbelt Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team, SWAT team, and Gang and Homicide Divisions found Martinez-Rangel and Pena at an apartment complex on Northborough Drive and arrested them without incident.

Evans is running his campaign with a focus on education and community service in the Chicago area. He is a small businessman and founder of a suburban music school. A Wheaton College graduate with a degree in music, Evans now resides in Warrenville with his wife and sons. He is deeply involved in mentoring, missionary training, and participation in missions to India, Mexico, and South Africa. According to his website, he and his four siblings were taught by their parents "the Midwestern values of hard work and the importance of helping those around you."