Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Wildhorse Casino Robbery

PORTLAND, Ore.: A federal judge has sentenced Javier Vigil to 20 years for the 2022 armed robbery of Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The sentence concludes a case in which a tribal police officer and casino patrons were endangered during an exchange of gunfire.

Vigil, 55, also received five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $2,040.71 in restitution to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He pleaded guilty in April to attempted murder, robbery and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Related: Boonville Casino Robbery Suspect Charged as Second Man Remains Sought

Robbery Targeted Casino Cash Cage

The robbery occurred on August 17, 2022, at Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Pendleton. Court documents state that Vigil entered the gaming area, approached the casino cash cage and handed an employee a note demanding $1 million.

Vigil then drew a handgun, pointed it at the employee and threatened violence as casino staff gathered money. He left the property with nearly $70,000, considerably less than the amount demanded.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Vigil fired at a responding Umatilla Tribal Police Department officer after leaving the casino. The officer returned fire and struck Vigil, who was taken to a hospital for treatment.

A bystander outside the casino was also struck during the exchange, according to court records cited in local reports. The available sentencing information does not identify which weapon fired the round that injured the bystander.

Guilty Plea Came During Federal Trial

A federal grand jury initially charged Vigil in 2022 and returned a six-count superseding indictment in December 2023. The charges covered attempted murder, robbery, firearm offenses and assault-related conduct arising from the casino incident.

Vigil entered his guilty plea on April 7, during the second day of his federal trial. His convictions covered attempted murder of the responding officer, interference with commerce through robbery and unlawful firearm possession under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

The FBI and Umatilla Tribal Police Department investigated the case, with support from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Those agencies included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Oregon State Police and police and sheriff’s departments in surrounding communities.

Sentence Includes Restitution and Supervision

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said Vigil’s actions endangered casino employees, customers and the responding officer. “His violent actions endangered innocent employees, patrons, and a law enforcement officer,” Bradford said. “He deserved and received the full consequences under federal law.”

The restitution order covers losses attributed to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The amount is separate from the nearly $70,000 taken during the robbery, and the supplied reports do not specify how much of that cash was recovered.

Vigil will remain under federal supervision for five years after completing his prison term. The sentencing closes the federal prosecution nearly four years after the armed robbery at the tribal casino.

RELATED TOPICS: Casino & Games