Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioFederal agents conducted a large-scale raid on Sunday, October 19, at La Catedral Arena in Wilder, Idaho, as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling ring linked to horse racing.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), multiple federal law enforcement agencies participated, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Local and state agencies were also involved, including the Idaho State Police, Idaho Department of Corrections, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI had this to say about the operation, “Illegal gambling isn’t a victimless crime. These operations can create an increase in violent crime, drug activity, and violence, putting communities at risk. I’m grateful for the collaboration and partnerships on the federal, state, and local level. Together, we’re working to keep our communities safe.”
An FBI affidavit on October 15, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, details the alleged unlicensed gambling scheme that prompted the raid. The complaint accuses 37-year-old Ivan Tellez of organizing parimutuel betting at La Catedral Arena in violation of state and federal gambling laws under 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
Alleged Multi-Person Operation
The investigation began in February 2025 after a private citizen tipped off the FBI to gambling activity at the race track.
According to the affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Jacob Sheridan, besides Tellez, several other individuals were involved in the gambling ring, including Samuel Bejarano, the alleged bookmaker; Dayana Fajardo, who reportedly collected wagers and paid winnings; and couriers Cesar Iniguez Orozco and Alejandro Torres Estrada, who handled cash during races.
“Bejarano has posted publicly on Facebook almost monthly, regarding the illegal gambling operation taking place at the horse races held at La Catedral Arena,” Sheridan wrote.
Investigators allege Bejarano used Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App to process payments and were able to identify more than 36 transactions totaling about $17,000 containing the Spanish betting term “Quiniela.” Sheridan stated: “Investigators believe this amount is a fraction of the amount of illegal wagers that Bejarano’s gambling operation has facilitated over the last two years.”
Digital Evidence & Financial Activity
After obtaining a federal search warrant for Bejarano’s Facebook account, investigators uncovered group chats between him, Tellez, and 11 horse owners who called themselves “the committee.” Sheridan wrote, “It is evident that Tellez and these 11 horse owners, with Bejarano, are responsible for deciding the dates that races are held … the minimum wager required for owners … and a host of other operational aspects of the races.”
Federal agents conducted undercover operations where they observed multiple cash exchanges. Agents reportedly observed Fajardo accepting bets and paying winnings, while couriers collected envelopes of cash.
The affidavit goes on to allege that Tellez made a series of large cash deposits, approximately $100,000 total, into La Catedral Arena LLC business accounts following race weekends. Zions Bank staff reportedly questioned the source of the funds.
Regulatory Violations & Federal Charges
While Tellez held a conditional permit to host races, he never obtained a parimutuel betting license from the Idaho Racing Commission.
Sheridan explained that: “Tellez has never submitted an application to be licensed by the Idaho State Racing Commission to conduct parimutuel betting at La Catedral Arena. Therefore, all gambling taking place … is illegal under state law, and subsequently federal law.”
Tellez, of Wilder, Idaho; Bejarano, 37, and Fajardo, 39, both of Nyssa, Oregon; and Estrada, 56, of Buhl, Idaho, were all taken into custody following the October 19 raid.
