Houston Grand Jury Indicts ICE Agent for Running Over Immigrant Worker
A Houston grand jury has indicted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who was captured on surveillance video running over an immigrant construction worker earlier this month. The agent, Mario Alberto Morales, is facing state charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after striking Miguel Parra Hernandez with an unmarked ICE vehicle. The indictment was announced on Friday by Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, alongside Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Morales was indicted for the second-degree felony offense, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.nnThe incident, which occurred earlier this month, was recorded on surveillance footage. In newly released video, Hernandez is seen face down on the pavement after being hit, crying out in pain. ICE has maintained that Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the vehicle, dismissing allegations that the officer intentionally struck him as “reckless and false.” However, the grand jury’s decision to indict suggests there is probable cause to believe Morales committed the crime. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities.nnHarris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and District Attorney Sean Teare emphasized that the indictment is a result of a thorough investigation. The charges against Morales are state charges, not federal, underscoring the role of local authorities in holding federal agents accountable. The video evidence played a crucial role in the grand jury’s decision, providing a clear account of the events. The victim, Miguel Parra-Hernandez, is an immigrant construction worker who was reportedly working at the time of the incident. The severity of his injuries has not been disclosed, but the video shows him in obvious distress.nnThe indictment of an ICE agent is a rare move, as federal officers are typically shielded from state prosecution for actions taken in the course of their duties. However, in this case, the local district attorney has asserted jurisdiction, arguing that the agent’s actions exceeded the scope of his authority. The case will now proceed to trial, where Morales will have the opportunity to defend himself against the charges. The outcome could have broader implications for how federal immigration enforcement operates in local communities and the extent to which agents can be held accountable under state law. As the legal process unfolds
Shimanta Das 
