WILDER, ID – Federal and local law enforcement officers raided La Cathedral Arena, a private horse racing venue in Wilder, on Sunday, arresting four people and detaining several others as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation.
According to a criminal complaint, arena owner Ivan Tellez, 37, is accused of operating an unlicensed gambling business by coordinating pool betting on horse races through Facebook. Multiple horse owners and associates were allegedly involved in accepting and placing wagers. Idaho law requires a state license for horse race betting.
The FBI said approximately 200 law enforcement personnel participated in serving the federal search warrant. Agencies on scene included Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Idaho State Police, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and local police.
Videos from the scene showed officials in tactical gear with rifles and police dogs instructing crowds to stay back. Many individuals were questioned by ICE, the FBI, and Border Patrol. Some were zip-tied or chained and placed into vans, while others — including children — were released.
The ACLU held a community meeting Sunday night for people who were unable to locate detained family members. Attendees reported that some individuals were allegedly offered $1,000 to self-deport. An ACLU spokesperson also said they were told rubber bullets were used at the scene.
The FBI confirmed the following four individuals were taken into custody:
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Ivan Tellez, 37, of Wilder, Idaho
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Samuel Bejarano, 37, of Nyssa, Oregon
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Dayana Fajardo, 39, of Nyssa, Oregon
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Alejandro Estrada, 56, of Buhl, Idaho
“Illegal gambling isn’t a victimless crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City office in a statement. “These operations can create an increase in violent crime, drug activity, and violence, putting communities at risk.”
If convicted, Tellez faces up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
