Racehorse Jockey Arrested for Shocking Device

Vinton- On May 31, 2025, Detectives assigned to the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division - Lake Charles Field Office arrested 41-year-old Ricardo Hernandez-Perez of Vinton. The arrest was a result of an investigation into allegations of cheating by horse jockeys at the Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino.

After the races concluded, Detectives conducted post-race checks of each jockey. During one encounter, Hernandez-Perez attempted to flee from Detectives while removing a battery-operated shocking device from his clothing and discarding it into one of the horse stalls.

Hernandez-Perez was subsequently arrested and processed into the Calcasieu Correctional Center for violation of LA RS 4:175D – Unnatural Stimulation of Horses. The law prohibits anyone from possessing or using devices like electric batteries that can unnaturally stimulate, depress, or excite a racehorse before or during a race, including within racetrack stables, sheds, or other buildings on racetrack grounds where eligible horses are kept.

The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, in conjunction with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, will continue to work to ensure the integrity of gaming activities at Louisiana casinos. Anyone wishing to report illegal gaming activity may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

Contact Information:

TFC Matt Gaspard

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section - Troop D

Office: (337) 491-2513

[email protected]