Executive Summary
- Four protesters face charges following an FBI and ICE raid on a Wilder, Idaho, racetrack.
- Charges include misdemeanor obstruction and one count of felony battery on a peace officer.
- The raid targeted alleged illegal gambling and resulted in over 100 immigration detentions.
- Police allege protesters interfered with tactical operations; defendants claim excessive force was used.
Four individuals were arrested and charged with obstruction and battery offenses following a confrontation with law enforcement during a joint federal and local raid at a Wilder, Idaho, racetrack in October, according to court records and police affidavits. The operation, led by the FBI with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local agencies, targeted alleged illegal gambling activities at La Catedral Arena.
The raid resulted in the detention of more than 100 immigrants and the seizure of property related to the gambling investigation. While the track owner possessed a permit for horse racing, authorities stated the venue was not authorized for gambling. During the execution of the operation, law enforcement officials encountered a group of protesters who, according to police reports, attempted to interfere with the tactical units.
According to probable cause affidavits, Caldwell Police and Canyon County Sheriff’s deputies established a “skirmish line” to manage the perimeter. Officers alleged that the protesters, including local activist Avalon Hardy, shouted expletives and physically obstructed the movement of law enforcement personnel. One protester allegedly stood between a the door and seat of a SWAT vehicle to prevent it from closing, while another was described in court documents as “clenching her fists and attempting to strike an officer.”
Court records indicate that all four protesters were charged with misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers. One individual faces an additional charge of felony battery on a peace officer for allegedly biting a Canyon County sheriff’s deputy during the arrest. The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office, representing the accused, has declined to comment on the specific cases.
Protesters dispute the law enforcement account, alleging excessive force was utilized during the arrests. Hardy, who reported suffering a bruised sternum and ribs, stated she was initially at the venue as a spectator before the raid began. Video evidence cited by local reports shows Hardy being pushed by a baton and subsequently arrested. Caldwell Police Detective Matthew Isaak noted in a report that officers “physically took” a protester to the ground, though the department denied a records request for specific use-of-force reports, stating no responsive records existed.
Operational Safety and Legal Proceedings
The incident highlights the volatile intersection of federal tactical operations and civilian protest. In multi-agency raids involving federal entities like the FBI and ICE, the establishment of secure perimeters is standard procedure to ensure officer safety and preserve evidence. However, when these operations occur in public or semi-public venues, the proximity of bystanders and protesters can complicate enforcement protocols. The subsequent legal proceedings will likely focus on the specific actions taken by the defendants relative to the officers’ lawful orders to disperse or maintain distance. It is important to note that all individuals named in reports or facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
