An ICE Enforcement officer who allegedly rammed a Mexican construction worker with his SUV in Houston turned himself in and faced a felony assault charge.
Key points
- Morales faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly ramming an SUV into a construction worker.
- Surveillance video appears to contradict ICE’s claim that the victim ran into the officer’s path.
- Bond was set at $30,000, despite prosecutors seeking a higher amount.
- The incident adds to a small but growing list of ICE officers charged for on‑the‑job conduct.
Mario Alberto Morales, a 33‑year‑old ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer, surrendered Monday after a Harris County grand jury indicted him on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for striking Miguel Parra Hernandez, a 48‑year‑old Mexican construction worker, with an unmarked SUV on Oct. 10 in a Houston parking lot, according to the Boston Globe.
During his first court appearance before Judge Matthew Peneguy, bond was set at $30,000, a figure lower than the $75,000 prosecutors had requested, as reported by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Court appearance and bond
ICE has asserted that Parra Hernandez ran in front of Morales’ vehicle, but prosecutors say surveillance camera footage shows the SUV crossing a median and hitting the worker as he fled, a discrepancy highlighted in the source article.
Parra Hernandez suffered a broken leg and is recovering at a federal rehabilitation facility, while his attorney confirmed his ongoing medical care.
Video evidence contradicts ICE account
Morales, who has served just over a year as an ICE officer, previously served in the Army and ran unsuccessfully for Congress this year; his lawyer, David Lindenmuth, described him as “truly a good man” and denied that he committed a crime.
The case joins a limited number of federal immigration officers who have faced criminal charges for actions taken during President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, prompting renewed scrutiny of ICE practices.
Reader questions
What specific charge is Mario Alberto Morales facing?
He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, for striking Miguel Parra Hernandez with his vehicle.
What does the surveillance video reportedly show?
According to prosecutors cited in the Boston Globe report, the video shows Morales’ SUV crossing a median and hitting the worker as he ran away, contradicting ICE’s statement that the victim ran into the vehicle.
Source: bostonglobe.com
