A Texas grand jury has indicted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.
Teare said the officer, Mario Alberto Morales, pursued a vehicle driven by Miguel Parra-Hernandez, a 48-year-old Mexican national, on the morning of 10 October. Teare said Parra-Hernandez and another occupant fled on foot before Morales "aggressively steered his vehicle" into him. Teare said the vehicle ran over both of Parra-Hernandez's legs, and that he remains hospitalized. Teare said Parra-Hernandez had no criminal record and was not subject to a deportation order.
Teare said Morales then called 911 to report that Parra-Hernandez had hit his car. He announced the indictment at a news conference in Houston on Friday. If convicted, Morales faces two to 20 years in prison, Teare said.
An ICE spokesperson told the BBC the indictment was "nothing more than a political stunt by Houston sanctuary politicians." The spokesperson said allegations that ICE struck Parra-Hernandez intentionally are "RECKLESS and FALSE." Immediately after the incident, the spokesperson told CBS News that Parra-Hernandez had run in front of the agent's vehicle. The spokesperson also said only federal agencies can investigate federal officers acting in the course of their duties.
Teare said he hopes the prosecution will deliver justice for Parra-Hernandez and his family.