Operation against illegal gambling at Idaho horse track results in arrests

• Law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a hose racetrack in Wilder, Idaho, over suspicion of illegal gambling
• The FBI was tipped about alleged illegal gambling activities taking place on site and four people, suspected of being involved were detained
• Officers from nearly a dozen law enforcement agencies arrived Sunday at the private horse racetrack

A police operation against illegal gambling resulted in the arrest of four people at a private racetrack called La Cathedral Arena in Wilder, Idaho.

Dozens of officers from different law enforcement agencies were seen on site at the raid which took place on Sunday.

Multiple law enforcement agencies raided a racetrack in Wilder

As announced by the local media outlet, news19, the operation is the result of an investigation and criminal complaint.

An affidavit of Special Agent, Jake Sheridan with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), describes the probable cause and alleges violations to 18 U.S.C. §§ 1955 related to illegal gambling.

The criminal complaint reveals that the FBI conducted a comprehensive investigation into suspected illegal gambling activities taking place at La Cathedral Arena in Wilder.

Initially, the FBI received a tip back in February from a person, who claimed that gambling was taking place at the private horse racetrack.

The aforementioned venue is owned by a person named Ivan Tellez.

The owner of the hose racetrack, along with three other individuals, were detained in the recent police operation.

Law enforcement suspected parimutuel betting took place at the racetrack

Robert Bohls, Special Agent in Charge with the Salt Lake City FBI, explained in a press release that illegal gambling "isn't a victimless crime."

"These operations can create an increase in violent crime, drug activity, and violence, putting communities at risk," he added.

Finally, the Special Agent said: "I’m grateful for the collaboration and partnerships on the federal, state, and local level. Together, we’re working to keep our communities safe."

During the raid on Sunday, agents and officers with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as the Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and local police were present.

More than 100 officers converged at La Catedral Arena, where some suspects were detained and later on released. Law enforcement searched the premises, executing a search warrant.

Per the affidavit of the FBI, law enforcement suspects that the four people detained were involved in illegal gambling.

Considering that the gambling activity allegedly involved horses, FBI suspects that parimutuel betting was offered.

While the owner of the private racetrack holds a permit, enabling him to organize horse races, to offer parimutuel or any other form of betting, a gambling license is needed from the Idaho State Racing Commission, the state's gambling watchdog.

Per the FBI agent's affidavit, the owner of the racetrack was specifically prohibited by the Commission from offering betting activities on site and didn't have a gambling license to offer such activities.

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