Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

FBI Raids Idaho Racetrack, Arrests Four in Alleged Illegal Gambling Operation

Civil liberties groups question reports of mass detentions, with children separated from parents during the multi-agency sweep.

Federal agents clash with anti-I.C.E. protesters at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on October 12, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. An Instagram post from the WorldNakedBikeRidePortland account stated - "The emergency WNBR Portland is in response to the militarization of our peaceful city. Right now peaceful protesters are being brutalized as they do their best for our neighbors and cousins who are being kidnapped."
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, were there as part of an investigation into alleged illegal horse betting. (Sally Krutzig/Idaho Statesman/TNS)
Image
Image

Overview

  • Federal agents targeted La Catedral Arena in Wilder after a months-long probe, with the FBI saying four people were arrested on federal gambling complaints.
  • Those taken into custody include Ivan Tellez of Wilder, Samuel Bejarano and Dayana Fajardo of Nyssa, Oregon, and Alejandro Estrada of Buhl, according to the FBI.
  • A criminal complaint filed Oct. 15 in U.S. District Court in Boise charges Tellez with conducting an illegal gambling business tied to unlicensed parimutuel betting.
  • ICE conducted immigration processing at the scene, with witnesses estimating 50 to 100 people detained, and an attorney reporting some releases and transfers to Boise or Mountain Home.
  • An immigration lawyer and the ACLU reported that children were zip-tied and separated before being released, and ACLU Idaho criticized the tactics as excessive, with some attendees alleging rubber bullets and broad handcuffing.