ICE agent indicted in Texas on charges he intentionally struck migrant in immigration operation

One man escaped, but the other, later identified as Miguel Parra Hernandez, was struck by an ICE vehicle. Hernandez was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for a broken leg. He is still hospitalized as of Friday.

Published: October 30, 2026 1:19pm

Updated: October 30, 2026 3:40pm

The Harris County District Attorney's Office has indicted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer for allegedly striking with his vehicle an Mexican immigrant during an immigration operation earlier this month.

The officer, Mario Alberto Morales, was indicted with the second-degree offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, FOX26 reported. 

Under Texas law, the charge is a second-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.

On Oct. 10, officials were responding to a reported crash involving a pedestrian. ICE agents were looking for a truck with two men inside. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, agents spotted a white truck going the wrong way on a road. It came to a complete stop, and two men exited the truck and fled. 

One man escaped, but the other, later identified as Miguel Parra Hernandez, was struck by an ICE vehicle. Hernandez was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for a broken leg. He is still hospitalized as of Friday, District Attorney Sean Teare said. 

ICE later released a photo of their target in the operation, Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, whom agents say is an illegal immigrant and has four prior arrests. Hernandez's attorney, Kim Bruno, says her client doesn't know Mendoza-Cervantes. 

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