ICE officer indicted on allegations he ran over undocumented Mexican immigrant released on bond

Key Points:

• ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales was released on $30,000 bond after being indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly running over undocumented immigrant Miguel Parra Hernandez near Houston on October 10.
• Parra Hernandez, who has no criminal record or deportation order, suffered multiple leg fractures and remains hospitalized, with his attorney describing his injuries as life-threatening and causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
• Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare stated Morales intentionally struck Parra Hernandez with the vehicle, contradicting ICE’s claim that Parra Hernandez ran into the vehicle; video evidence and witness accounts support the DA’s version.
• Morales’ attorney called the charges a political prosecution and insisted the incident was an accident, while ICE labeled the allegations reckless and false, asserting local officials lack authority to investigate federal officers.
• The case highlights concerns about ICE’s enforcement tactics, including the hiring and training of officers, amid increased scrutiny following other fatal encounters involving immigration agents in recent months.