Illegal gambling FBI raid in Wilder sparks community outrage for ‘excessive force’
The FBI, along with a number of law enforcement agencies, raided an illegal gambling operation in Wilder, Idaho.
Four men were arrested as part of an operation involving about 200 law enforcement personnel on October 19. A federal search warrant was served and executed by federal, state and local agencies to address a suspected illegal gambling operation in Wilder, Idaho.
A multi-agency operation involving nearly 200 law enforcement personnel helped the FBI and the Treasure Valley Metro Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force shut down an illegal horse racing gambling ring in Wilder, ID. Read more: https://t.co/Bywoj9lCdu@CanyonCoSheriff,… pic.twitter.com/nNzhXcj0MR
– FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) October 20, 2025
The investigation was initiated by the FBI’s Boise Resident Agency in Salt Lake City, in cooperation with the Treasure Valley Metro Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force. It uncovered an illegal gambling operation at a horse track on a property called La Cathedral Arena in Wilder, leading to the arrest of four individuals.
“Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Buhls of the FBI in Salt Lake City. “These operations can lead to an increase in violent crime, drug activity and violence, putting communities at risk. I am grateful for the cooperation and partnerships at the federal, state and local levels. Together, we work to keep our communities safe.”
Among those taken into custody and charged with federal charges are 37-year-old Ivan Tellez, 37-year-old Samuel Bejarano, 39-year-old Dayana Fajardo, and 56-year-old Alejandro Estrada. However, reports from those present indicated that rubber bullets were used against those in the vicinity, including women and children.
Wilder’s raid on illegal gambling by the FBI sparks outrage in the community
According to reports shared by the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, law enforcement agencies used “excessive use of force” in their operations. Concerns have been raised that the treatment of those at the scene was excessive, with reports of rubber bullets being fired and people as young as 12 being handcuffed.
The father of one of the detainees and the owner of the establishment, Andres Tellez Juarez, told Idaho News that he was handcuffed for five hours and that authorities “abused their powers.”
“Children, adults, people who just came to have fun and relax a little after a week of work – they abused their power with them,” he said. “They brought in children between 12 and 13 years old in handcuffs, and women between 70 and 80 years old were handcuffed.
“I was kindly asking them to take the handcuffs off some people because their hands were really swollen… and they would laugh or say things like: ‘You’re okay. “You’re fine,” and then they push them.
Such FBI raids are not unusual, nor are they collaborations between partner agencies. However, ICE is not typically involved in all federal gambling-related investigations.
Featured Image: Canyon County Police Department
FBI raid on illegal gambling in Wilder sparks community outrage over ‘excessive force’ appeared first on ReadWrite.
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2025-10-21 10:26:00
