Houston Grand Jury Indicts ICE Agent Mario Morales Over Oct. 10 Vehicle Assault

Q: Why do prosecutors say an ICE vehicle may have become a deadly weapon in the Houston chase that injured Miguel Parra Hernandez?

Prosecutors say the ICE vehicle may have become a deadly weapon because the evidence suggests it was used to strike Miguel Parra Hernandez, not merely involved in an accident. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has said the likely charge was aggravated assault with a deadly weapon because, under Texas law, a car can qualify as a deadly weapon if it is used in a way capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Parra Hernandez suffered major injuries, including a broken leg that required surgery, which strengthened that theory. The key evidence is surveillance video from a nearby business. Prosecutors say the footage appears to show Parra Hernandez running away through a parking lot when an ICE SUV turned the corner and hit him from behind. Officials have said the video appears inconsistent with ICE’s account that he ran in front of the vehicle and was struck unintentionally. That distinction matters legally. If the vehicle was driven toward him intentionally or recklessly during the pursuit, prosecutors can argue it was being used as a weapon. Teare publicly described the footage as appearing to show an “intentional” strike, which is why the grand jury returned an indictment for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case is still under investigation, and ICE has disputed the allegation, maintaining the collision was accidental.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 30

Mario Alberto Morales, 33, was indicted Friday on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges after authorities said he struck and injured Miguel Parra Hernandez during an Oct. 10 immigration chase in Houston.
Parra Hernandez, 48, an undocumented Mexican construction worker, was driving to work when federal agents in unmarked vehicles tried to stop him; after he and a passenger ran, Morales allegedly hit him with a vehicle.
ICE had said Parra Hernandez ran in front of an agency vehicle and was struck, but surveillance video from a nearby business appeared to show the men fleeing as an ICE vehicle turned the corner and hit him from behind.
The indictment escalates scrutiny of how federal immigration agents conducted the stop and pursuit, turning a disputed encounter into a criminal case against the agent.