Video shows alleged ramming during pursuit; Texas ICE agent Mario Alberto Morales indicted for assault
Grand jury brings charges
Prosecutors said the indictment was returned Friday in Houston. Morales faces a charge of second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The allegation concerns Morales driving his car into Mexican construction worker Miguel Parra-Hernandez. Prosecutors say the collision was intentional.
Video shown at briefing
District Attorney Sean Teare played footage from Morales’ body camera at a Friday news conference. The recording shows Morales driving while discussing a pursuit. Surveillance footage shows a Jeep Cherokee crossing a median and heading toward Parra-Hernandez as he runs away. In the body-camera video, Morales later gets out and finds Parra-Hernandez on the ground, holding his leg and shouting in pain.
Agency disputes allegation
ICE rejected the claim that Morales struck Parra-Hernandez deliberately, calling it “RECKLESS and FALSE” in a statement. The agency also said local officials lack authority to investigate federal officers acting as part of their duties.
Teare’s other investigation
Teare, a Democrat, brought the Houston case. He is also investigating the July fatal shooting of a Mexican homebuilder. That shooting prompted protests in Houston, described in the report as the nation’s fourth-largest city. The account does not provide further details about the shooting investigation.
Key points
- Mario Alberto Morales was indicted on a second-degree aggravated assault charge.
- Prosecutors allege Morales intentionally struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez with his car.
- Video played by Sean Teare included Morales describing the collision.
- ICE denied the allegation and disputed local officials’ investigative authority.