Mario Alberto Morales, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer indicted by a grand jury last week, surrendered Monday in Harris County 488th District Court. He acknowledged that he understood the charge against him. He is charged with a second-degree felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Prosecutors asked for a $75,000 bond. Morales' lawyer, David Lindenmuth, asked for $25,000, saying his client is not a flight risk and poses no ongoing threat to the community. Judge Matthew Peneguy ordered a $30,000 bond.
The indictment accuses Morales of striking Miguel Parra-Hernandez with his vehicle on Oct. 10, breaking his leg and ankle. An ICE spokesperson said Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the vehicle while agents were trying to arrest another man. Parra-Hernandez's family, his lawyer and immigrant rights groups have disputed ICE's account. Video released by the Harris County District Attorney's office shows Morales pursuing Parra-Hernandez. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said investigators had serious concerns about the pursuit and how Parra-Hernandez was struck. Lindenmuth called the indictment a "political prosecution" and said the collision was not a crime.