PORTLAND, Ore. — A Umatilla County man pleaded guilty Tuesday on the second day of trial to attempted murder, robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with an armed robbery at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2022.
Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, admitted to attempted murder, robbery, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon under the Armed Career Criminal Act, according to federal prosecutors.
Court documents state that on Aug. 17, 2022, Vigil entered the casino, walked directly to the cashier cage in the gaming area, and handed an employee a note demanding $1 million. He then drew a holstered pistol, pointed it at the cashier, and threatened to “bathe everyone in blood.”
Authorities said Vigil obtained nearly $70,000 in cash before leaving the casino. As he exited, he encountered a responding Umatilla Tribal Police officer and fired at the officer. The officer returned fire, striking Vigil.
A federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count superseding indictment on Dec. 19, 2023, charging Vigil with attempted murder, interference with commerce by robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon announced the guilty plea.
Vigil is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 4, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Hermiston Police Department, Pendleton Police Department, Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams and Arin Heinz are prosecuting the case.
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