Houston ICE Agent Released on $30,000 Bond After Indictment in Immigrant Injury Case
HOUSTON, Texas — November 3, 2026
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer accused of striking a Houston immigrant with an unmarked SUV during an enforcement operation has been released on a $30,000 bond after appearing in Harris County court, following his indictment on a felony aggravated assault charge.
Mario Alberto Morales, 33, surrendered to authorities on Monday, November 2, and appeared before a Harris County judge after a grand jury indicted him on October 30. He is accused of striking Miguel Parra Hernandez, a 48-year-old Mexican construction worker, with his vehicle during a pursuit in northwest Houston on October 10.
Judge Matthew Peneguy set Morales’ bond at $30,000, below the $75,000 requested by prosecutors. The judge also ordered Morales to have no contact with victims or witnesses in the case.
Prosecutors cite video evidence
According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred as Parra Hernandez was running through a parking lot near Clay Road and Highway 6.
Prosecutors allege that Morales pursued him in an unmarked SUV and struck him with the vehicle. Surveillance footage and body-camera recordings released by the district attorney’s office have become central to the investigation.
Prosecutors say the footage shows the SUV moving toward Parra Hernandez as he attempted to flee. The collision left him with serious leg and ankle injuries requiring surgery.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said the evidence supported pursuing criminal charges against the officer.
The indictment charges Morales with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. If convicted, he could face between 2 and 20 years in prison.
ICE and defense dispute allegations
ICE has maintained that Parra Hernandez ran in front of Morales’ vehicle during the incident, disputing the allegation that the officer intentionally struck him.
Morales’ attorney has also denied criminal wrongdoing, describing the collision as accidental. His defense team has characterized the prosecution as politically motivated and indicated that it may seek to move the case to federal court.
The legal proceedings could raise questions about the extent to which state authorities can prosecute federal law enforcement officers for alleged conduct while performing their official duties.
Injured man remains in rehabilitation
Parra Hernandez suffered a serious leg injury and has been recovering at a rehabilitation facility while in federal custody, according to Harris County prosecutors.
District Attorney Teare has also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the treatment of witnesses to the incident, including two detained individuals who were subsequently deported.
The case has drawn attention to the use of force during immigration enforcement operations and the accountability mechanisms available when federal officers are accused of misconduct.
A case with wider implications for immigrant communities
The indictment comes amid heightened immigration enforcement activity across the United States, placing renewed attention on interactions between federal officers and immigrant communities.
For Houston, one of the country’s major immigrant destinations, the case is likely to remain a subject of public interest as the legal proceedings continue.
Immigrant families and community organizations have broader concerns about enforcement practices, access to legal representation and the ability to report alleged misconduct without fear.
However, the criminal allegations against Morales remain subject to judicial proceedings. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, and the officer is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Morales’ next court hearing is scheduled for December 2, according to his attorney. The case will continue through the Harris County judicial system, with the defense expected to pursue further legal arguments over jurisdiction.
