A Texas grand jury indicted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer accused of deliberately striking an individual with his vehicle throughout a pursuit in Houston earlier this month, officers introduced Friday.
The officer, Mario Alberto Morales, has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault with a lethal weapon, based on the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
Authorities stated the person struck by the car, Miguel Parra Hernandez, suffered important accidents, together with a number of fractures to his proper leg.
Regulation enforcement officers are on the scene after a person was struck by a car pushed by an ICE agent throughout chase, based on the Harris Courty Sheriff’s Workplace, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas.
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Harris County District Legal professional Sean Teare alleged that Morales’ body-camera footage reveals he “aggressively steered his car” into Parra Hernandez.
The district legal professional performed graphic video from the officer’s body-worn digicam alongside surveillance footage of the incident throughout a press briefing on Friday.
The body-camera footage seems to point out Morales behind the wheel, pursuing Parra Hernandez and one other particular person who’re fleeing on foot.
“Bought a runner, received a runner,” the officer might be heard saying. “On foot. Each of them.”
Seconds later, the officer seems to show his steering wheel towards Parra Hernandez, placing him, the video confirmed.
Morales is then seen approaching Parra Hernandez, who’s mendacity on the bottom crying in agony, and transferring his leg.
In a 911 name recording performed in the course of the press convention, Morales tells the dispatcher that he tried to get round Parra Hernandez, “and he hit my automobile.”
“As you possibly can clearly see, Morales aggressively steered his car into Parra Hernandez. Not solely did he hit Mr. Hernandez, he ran over each of his legs, leaving him severely injured and hospitalized to today,” Teare stated.
“I’ve reviewed tons of of instances, some similar to this. The proof that we’ve on this case is as clear as any that I’ve ever prosecuted or investigated,” Teare stated.
Regulation enforcement officers are on the scene after a person was struck by a car pushed by an ICE agent throughout chase, based on the Harris Courty Sheriff’s Workplace, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas.
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An ICE spokesperson known as the indictment “nothing greater than a political stunt by Houston Sanctuary politicians.”
“Allegations that ICE struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez deliberately are RECKLESS and FALSE,” the ICE spokesperson stated in a press release. “The women and men of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of legislation and are held to the very best requirements of professionalism, integrity, and moral conduct. As our courageous legislation enforcement officers arrest and take away harmful legal unlawful aliens from our communities, America might be pleased with the professionalism our officers deliver [to] the job day-in and day-out.“
In a previous assertion, ICE alleged that “Parra-Hernandez ran in entrance of an ICE car and was struck.”
Teare stated that on the morning the incident occurred, ICE officers have been in pursuit of a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pushed by Parra Hernandez. In line with ICE, Teare stated, they have been pursuing a person named Jose Mendoza Cervantes. That man has “apparently” been lifeless for 9 years, the district legal professional stated.
Teare stated that regardless of his objections, ICE has already deported at the very least two materials witnesses to the case. Investigators have been capable of meet with a kind of witnesses shortly earlier than they have been deported, the DA stated.
ICE continues to be actively making an attempt to deport Parra Hernandez, who continues to get well at a rehabilitation facility, based on Teare. A Mexican nationwide, Parra Hernandez is unauthorized, didn’t have a deportation order and has no legal document, based on Teare.
“An ICE badge doesn’t provide you with free rein to injure, kill, or violate the constitutional rights of anybody,” Teare stated.
On this screengrab from a video, a person is proven operating previous to being struck by a car pushed by an ICE agent, based on the Harris Courty Sheriff’s Workplace, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas.
A warrant for Morales’ arrest can be issued on Friday, based on the district legal professional.
Teare stated Morales was employed final 12 months as a part of a surge of ICE hires. He didn’t go into element about Morales’ work historical past however added, “I can unequivocally inform you that I’ve reviewed hundreds of job purposes and resumes for legislation enforcement officers from across the state, and I am not aware of a single company that may have employed this particular person based mostly on his previous.”
Morales was placed on administrative leave following the incident, ICE stated.
The transfer is commonplace for all use-of-force incidents, based on an ICE spokesperson.
“This incident is below lively inner investigation,” the spokesperson stated in a press release on Oct. 16.
