A Texas grand jury has indicted ICE agent Mario Alberto Morales on a charge of second-degree aggravated assault after prosecutors said he deliberately drove his SUV into immigrant Miguel Parra Hernandez on October 10. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare announced the indictment Friday.
Prosecutors said Morales deliberately drove his SUV into Parra Hernandez as he fled on foot. Parra Hernandez, a Mexican national who has lived in Harris County for more than 30 years, had no criminal record and no pending immigration proceedings against him before the incident, Teare said. ICE has said it was looking for a different man, but relatives say that man died nearly a decade ago. Teare said Parra Hernandez remains in ICE custody while recovering from his injuries.
Teare said the agent could face two to 20 years in prison if convicted. 'Just because you have an ICE badge or any badge, if you are in Harris County and you are violating our community members' constitutional rights, there will be repercussions,' he said.
Teare also said Morales was among 'surge hires' as part of efforts to speed up President Trump's mass deportation agenda, and expressed concerns about a number of people hired during the surge and about the length and content of their training. He said he had reviewed thousands of job applications and resumes for law enforcement officers and 'I'm not familiar with a single agency that would have hired this person based on his past.'
An ICE spokesperson called the indictment 'nothing more than a political stunt by Houston sanctuary politicians.' The statement added: 'Allegations that ICE struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez intentionally are RECKLESS and FALSE. Federal officers acting in the course of their duties can only be investigated by other Federal agencies.'
The case could move to federal court if Morales argues federal law shields him from state prosecution, a move Teare said he is ready to litigate.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The indictment raises questions about legal accountability for federal immigration agents acting in the line of duty.
- It sets a potential precedent in Texas for state prosecutions of ICE officers.
- The case highlights tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Background
The incident occurred on October 10 when Morales struck Parra Hernandez while he fled. ICE agents were reportedly looking for a different individual, but that person's relatives say he died years ago. Parra Hernandez remains in ICE custody while recovering from injuries. The indictment is believed to be the first of its kind against an ICE agent in Texas.
Key Perspectives
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare: says the agent deliberately used his vehicle as a weapon and that constitutional violations will be prosecuted regardless of badge. He raised concerns about the quality of surge hires and training.
ICE Spokesperson: calls the indictment a political stunt, denies the allegations, and asserts that only federal agencies can investigate federal officers acting in their duties.
What to Watch
- Whether Morales will attempt to move the case to federal court and assert federal immunity.
- The outcome of Teare's broader investigation into ICE surge hires.
- Whether this case leads to similar state-level actions in other jurisdictions.