Wildhorse Resort and Casino robber sentenced to 20 years in prison

• A Umatilla County man entered Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Oregon and attempted to steal $1m, holding cage cashiers at gunpoint
• Walking out of the casino with nearly $70,000 in a bag, the robber was confronted and shot by tribal police
• After pleading guilty to several charges in April, earlier this week, the robber was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release

One robber, who claimed he was "God," and attempted to steal $1m from an Oregon casino, received a lengthy prison sentence.

That’s the case for the 55-year-old Javier Vigil of Umatilla County, who robbed the Wildhorse Resort and Casino in 2022.

Casino robbery ends in suspect being shot and arrested

The crime dates back to August 17, 2022, when Vigil entered the casino on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton and gave a cash cage teller a note.

In that note, the robber demanded $1m in cash and in order to intimidate the cashier, drew a firearm and pointed it in the direction of the teller.

Court documents later revealed that while cashiers were gathering money to give to the robber, he made disturbing statements, claiming that he was "God" and that he would "bathe everyone in blood."

The cashiers gave the man $69,000 in cash.CCTV captured the robbery unfold as the attacker was seen moments later exiting the casino holding a bag of cash. A pistol and two clips were seen attached to his belt.

Attempting to flee the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, Vigil ran into a tribal police officer near the entrance.

The suspect didn’t think twice and fired in the direction of the officer.

Not unexpectedly, the officer returned fire and in the end, Vigil was shot.

During the violent encounter, a stray bullet hit a bystander. Nobody else was hurt during the robbery.

Vigil was subsequently arrested and faced multiple charges for his actions.

The robber goes to prison for 20 years

In December 2023, Vigil was indicted on a range of charges, including felon in possession of a firearm with an armed career criminal enhancement, interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, among others.

In April this year, the Umatilla County man pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, felon in possession of a firearm with an armed career criminal enhancement as well as attempt to commit murder.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon, confirmed that Vigil was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

The man was also ordered to pay $2,040.71 in restitution to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation and undergo 5 years of supervised release.

Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney, commented: "Vigil gambled and lost when he chose to rob this casino with a gun. His violent actions endangered innocent employees, patrons, and a law enforcement officer. He deserved and received the full consequences under federal law."

Bradford spoke about the importance of tribal communities, highlighting that federal resources will be used to ensure their protection and pursue justice in the event of criminal action.

"I am also extremely grateful to the law enforcement officer, who risked his life that day to stop this defendant from harming anyone else," the U.S. Attorney said in conclusion.

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