A Harris County, Texas, grand jury indicted Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Mario Alberto Morales on a charge of aggravated assault after his vehicle struck a fleeing Mexican construction worker, Miguel Parra Hernandez, during an Oct. 10 incident in Houston, the Associated Press reported, as cited by The Western Journal.
Body-cam video and on-scene exchange
Body-camera footage posted by the Houston Chronicle shows the collision’s aftermath in northwest Houston on Oct. 10. In the clip, a man identified as Morales can be heard saying, “Where’s the other one?” and another man replies, “You ran over me,” according to the Chronicle’s post.
Prosecutor’s case
NBC News reported comments from Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare on why his office moved forward: “The evidence that we have in this case is as clear as any that I’ve ever prosecuted or investigated. An ICE badge does not give you free rein to injure, kill, or violate the constitutional rights of anyone.”
According to The Western Journal’s account, Teare said a warrant would be issued and, as of Friday, Morales was not in custody.
ICE disputes intent and jurisdiction
ICE called the case “nothing more than a political stunt by Houston sanctuary politicians,” arguing Harris County lacks jurisdiction to investigate ICE and saying only the federal government can do so, per a statement cited by The Western Journal.
In the same statement, ICE said, “Allegations that ICE struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez intentionally are RECKLESS and FALSE,” asserting that Parra-Hernandez stepped in front of the vehicle. ICE also said agents were not after Parra Hernandez that day but were looking for another man, Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, The Western Journal reported.
A disputed target—and a new claim
The Western Journal noted that Mendoza-Cervantes’ daughter claimed her father has been dead since 2017. Teare’s office said the men were not in the same vehicle on Oct. 10, and the Associated Press reported that ICE had not responded to those specific claims.
Injuries and status
The Western Journal reported that Parra Hernandez sustained injuries to his hip, leg, and ankle, including a broken leg. The Department of Homeland Security indicated Parra Hernandez is in the country illegally, according to the outlet.
The Houston Chronicle stated the indictment is for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
