NewsABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)November 1, 2026San Francisco County
ICE agent Mario Alberto Morales faces felony charges and surrender after running over a man in Houston
Photo: ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Mario Alberto Morales is scheduled to turn himself in on Monday following a grand jury indictment on two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charges stem from an Oct. 10 incident where Morales struck 48-year-old construction worker Miguel Parra Hernandez with his unmarked SUV during a parking lot pursuit.
Read the full story at ABC7 News San Francisco (KGO-TV)Why It Matters
A federal law enforcement officer faces criminal prosecution and potential imprisonment over a use-of-force incident that left the victim with a broken leg.
Key Facts
- A grand jury indicted ICE agent Mario Alberto Morales on Friday on two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
- Morales plans to surrender at a courthouse on Monday, according to his attorney David Lindenmuth.
- The charges stem from an Oct. 10 incident in Houston where Morales struck 48-year-old construction worker Miguel Parra Hernandez with an unmarked SUV.
- Parra Hernandez sustained a broken leg and is recovering at a rehabilitation facility while in federal custody.
- Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare played body camera footage showing Morales making sharp turns, exiting the vehicle, and turning toward Parra Hernandez on the ground.
- An incident report states Parra Hernandez fled a traffic stop because Morales pulled on a mask, and that Morales stated he did not brake before impact but did not intend to strike him.
- ICE stated the operation's target was Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, whose daughter stated he has been dead for nearly a decade.
- Morales' defense attorney previously called the incident an accident and asserted local officials invented a crime.
- Morales previously ran for Congress in Texas' 34th congressional district under the name 'Bam Morales' and served as a U.S. Army veteran and local law enforcement officer.
- Court records show Morales had a misdemeanor theft charge in 2013 that was dismissed after a plea deal and $270 fine.
Who's Mentioned
PersonDavid Lindenmuth“Attorney representing Mario Alberto Morales”OrganizationHarris County District Attorney's Office“Prosecuting office discussing the case”OrganizationU.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division“Military division where Morales previously served”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News organization reporting on the case”OrganizationHarris County Sheriff's Office“Law enforcement agency that compiled an incident report on the event”locationMinneapolis“City where ICE agent Christian Castro was charged”OrganizationFIEL“Immigrants' rights group”PersonMayes-Osterman“Corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America”PersonMiguel Parra Hernandez“48-year-old construction worker struck by Morales' vehicle”OrganizationU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal immigration agency employing Morales”OrganizationMake America Godlier Again“Organization that endorsed Morales' congressional campaign”PersonJohnson Suleman“Televangelist who held a 2024 Christian conference where Morales acted as a tran”OrganizationReport for America“Nonprofit national service program placing journalists”locationTexas' 34th congressional district“District where Morales ran for office”PersonMario Alberto Morales“ICE agent charged with aggravated assault”PersonJose Mendoza-Cervantes“Target of the ICE operation who was reportedly deceased for nearly a decade”PersonSean Teare“Harris County District Attorney”locationHarris County“County handling court records and district attorney statements”PersonChristian Castro“ICE agent charged with lying to the FBI after a shooting in Minneapolis”locationHouston“City where the incident occurred”