ICE Officer Faces Charge for Alleged Assault

Mario Alberto Morales, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, turned himself in on Monday in Houston. He faces charges for allegedly ramming his vehicle into Miguel Parra Hernandez, a Mexican construction worker. Morales appeared in court on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the incident on October 10, when he reportedly chased Hernandez with an SUV through a parking lot.

A grand jury indicted Morales, 33, last Friday. Judge Matthew Peneguy set the bond at $30,000, despite prosecutors recommending a $75,000 bond, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is notable as Morales is among a few federal officers facing criminal charges related to actions during President Trump’s immigration enforcement period. Other similar incidents are under investigation.

Miguel Parra Hernandez’s brother, Rodolfo Parra, reported that the incident left Hernandez with a broken leg.

The ICE claims Hernandez ran in front of Morales’ SUV, yet prosecutors argue video evidence portrays a different story. Surveillance footage shows the SUV crossing a median and striking Hernandez as he was fleeing.

David Lindenmuth, Morales’ lawyer, described him as a “good man” who did not commit any crime. Morales, with a broken leg, is currently recovering in a rehabilitation center while detained, stated Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.

Morales served as an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer slightly over a year. He was an Army veteran and an unsuccessful congressional candidate earlier this year.

In 2013, Morales faced misdemeanor charges for stealing DVDs, settled by paying a fine, as per Harris County Court records.

Wilder and Brook are members of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, a nonprofit program placing journalists in local newsrooms to cover underreported topics.