Five individuals were federally indicted for operating an illegal pari-mutuel betting ring at La Catedral arena, a horse racing facility in Wilder, Idaho. The operation, which ran from June to October, violated federal and state gambling laws, generating over $2,000 in revenue on at least one day. Among those indicted are Samuel Bejarano Colin and Ivan Tellez, who also face charges for using interstate wire communications to transmit bets across Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. Prosecutors seek forfeiture of over $40,000 in cash, two parcels of land including the arena, and other assets tied to the gambling operation. Although Tellez held a conditional permit for horse racing, he lacked the necessary license for pari-mutuel betting, which was explicitly prohibited by the Idaho State Racing Commission.
The FBI-led raid on October 19 involved hundreds of federal, state, and local agents, alongside ICE officers, resulting in the detention of 105 undocumented immigrants, many of whom were reportedly not questioned about criminal activity but rather their immigration status. The detainees have since been relocated across several states. Controversy arose over law enforcement tactics during the raid, with conflicting reports about the use of zip ties or plastic flex cuffs on detainees, including children and U.S. citizens. Idaho Governor Brad Little highlighted concerns linking illegal gambling operations to broader criminal activities such as drug and weapons trafficking, emphasizing the seriousness of the investigation.
