ICE agent accused of intentionally striking man with his SUV surrenders to authorities

HOUSTON (NBC, KYMA) - A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who is accused of intentionally ramming his car into a Mexican construction worker in Houston turned himself in Monday.

Mario Alberto Morales made his first court appearance on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for striking Miguel Parra Hernandez with an unmarked SUV on October 10th, as Morales chased the 48-year-old construction worker through a parking lot.

A grand jury indicted Morales on Friday. A judge set his bond at $30,000 dollars during Monday's hearing.

ICE has asserted that Parra Hernandez ran in front of Morales' vehicle, an account that prosecutors say is contradicted by video. Surveillance video shows Morales' vehicle drive over a median and strike Parra Hernandez as he runs away.

Parra Hernandez broke his leg and is recovering at a rehabilitation facility while in federal custody.

Morales had worked as an ICE enforcement and removal operations officer for a little more than a year. He unsuccessfully ran for congress this year and previously served in the army.