ICE agent accused of using SUV to run over immigrant in Houston turns himself in

ICE officials argue that the agent arrested for striking an fleeing suspect in Houston didn’t do so intentionally. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / usicegov

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer accused of intentionally running down a Mexican immigrant in Houston with his vehicle has turned himself in to face charges, the Associated Press reports.

Mario Alberto Morales surrendered to Houston authorities on Monday, his attorney told the wire service. The federal immigration agent faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

A grand jury indicted Morales, 33, last Friday.

Morales is accused of using his unmarked SUV to pursue 48-year-old construction worker Miguel Parra Hernandez across a parking lot, then hitting the man with the vehicle.

Parra Hernandez suffered a broken leg and is recovering at a rehab facility while in federal custody, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare told the AP.

A Monday hearing, Judge Matthew Peneguy set Morales’ bond at $30,000, the wire service reports. Prosecutors had asked that bond be set at $75,000.

ICE officials maintain that Parra Hernandez darted in front of Morales’ vehicle during the pursuit, while prosecutors argue that widely circulated video of the incident shows the SUV jump a median and hit the man from behind, running him over.

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