PORTLAND — A Umatilla County man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for robbing the Wildhorse Resort & Casino (WRC), attempted murder and other offenses in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Javier Vigil, 55, was sentenced on Aug. 4 to federal prison and five years’ supervised release. He also must pay $2,040.71 in restitution to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation.
In addition to the robbery and attempted murder charges, Vigil was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Vigil gambled and lost when he chose to rob this casino with a gun,” Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, said. “His violent actions endangered innocent employees, patrons and a law enforcement officer. He deserved and received the full consequences under federal law. Our tribal communities are incredibly important to me and I will use every available federal resource to protect them and pursue justice on their behalf. I am also extremely grateful to the law enforcement officer, who risked his life that day to stop this defendant from harming anyone else.”
According to court documents, on Aug. 17, 2022, Javier Vigil went to the WRC on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and handed a cash-cage teller a note demanding $1 million. He then pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the teller. As the tellers gathered cash, Virgil made threatening statements.
After receiving more than $69,000, Vigil walked out of the casino.
When he saw a Umatilla Tribal Police officer outside, Vigil raised his firearm and shot at the officer. The two exchanged gunfire and Vigil was shot and fell to the ground. He was then arrested on federal charges for this crime. A bystander outside the casino was also injured from a stray bullet.
Investigators learned that Vigil acquired the firearm around Aug. 3, 2022, about two weeks before the robbery and shooting, according to the DOJ.
On Dec. 19, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count superseding indictment against Vigil. The indictment charged him with interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm with an armed career criminal enhancement, attempt to commit murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to the DOJ, on April 7, 2026, on the second day of trial, Vigil pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, felon in possession of a firearm with an armed career criminal enhancement, and attempt to commit murder.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, with the assistance of ATF, the Hermiston Police Department, the 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 prosecuted the case.
