105 Detained and 5 Arrested During Idaho Illegal Gambling Raid at Racetrack

In a press release from the office of Idaho’s Governor Little, updated numbers regarding those arrested and detained during the raid on a horse racetrack were shared. Governor Little also shares the reasoning behind the raid and how it was enacted.

Authorities believed that illegal gambling was possibly only a part of the questionable things happening at the race track. Fear of drug and weapon trafficking and cartel involvement were factors in how the raid was handled.

ICE Detains More Than 100 People Following Idaho Raid

The raid was met with uproar by some people in Wilder, Idaho, where the raid happened, and by many on social media, where videos and updates were shared. Videos and posts made claims about what was happening that didn’t match posts by others, which caused confusion, anger, and fear about what was happening. The raid looked massive and scary, depending on what information you were fed. One person is quoted as calling the gathering (prior to the raid) a family event with toddlers and little children who were detained while others question the decision making of parents who would knowingly bring small children to an event with the type of illegal activities that were allegedly happening.

Some videos showed protesters yelling at agents, and others appeared to show children reunited with parents after they were released. Gov. Little clarified in his announcement the number of people detained by ICE agents and those arrested or charged with crimes.

Little explained that the raid was the culmination of months of investigation and preparation and was justified by a federal warrant. While an estimated 400 people were in attendance, 5 were charged and 105 were detained in the custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. None of those charged or detained in the custody of ICE are children.

Due to crimes that are often associated with illegal gambling enterprises, authorities went into the raid expecting the possibility of drug and weapon trafficking, animal fighting and abuse, illegal horse racing, and large amounts of cartel money. The press release doesn’t share whether other crimes were verified or what each of the five people was charged with. One man, Cesar Orozco, according to Idaho News 6, was charged as a backpack courier who collected bets and managed payouts.

The other four people arrested were:

• Ivan Tellez, 37, of Wilder, Idaho
• Samuel Bejarano, 37, of Nyssa, Oregon
• Dayana Fajardo, 39, of Nyssa, Oregon
• Alejandro Estrada, 56, of Buhl, Idaho

The raid happened at La Catedral Arena at 27410 Peckham Rd. Wilder, Idaho. Tellez was granted a conditional use permit in March of 2025 at the location for a commercial arena and race track. The permit does not allow gambling on the horse races.

READ ALSO: Fatal Accident at Street Intersection Near Wilder, Idaho

Not far from where the raid happened, ISP reported a fatal rollover accident between two vehicles after one failed to stop before entering the intersection.