Umatilla County Man Pleads Guilty in Violent Wildhorse Casino Robbery
A Umatilla County man has pleaded guilty to a series of federal charges stemming from a brazen 2022 armed robbery at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, admitted to attempted murder, robbery, and the illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon during the second day of his trial in Portland.
The 2022 Casino Heist and Standoff
The incident occurred on August 17, 2022, at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. According to court documents, Vigil entered the facility and went directly to the cashier cage in the gaming area. He handed the cashier a note demanding $1 million.
The situation escalated when Vigil drew a holstered semi-automatic .45-caliber pistol—manufactured by the Arms Corporation of the Philippines—and pointed it at the cashier. Vigil told FBI Special Agent Jennifer Duke that he drew the weapon after the cashier laughed at his demand for the money. During the confrontation, Vigil threatened to “bathe everyone in blood.”
Vigil successfully obtained nearly $70,000 in cash (with some reports specifying over $69,000) before exiting the casino. As he fled, he shot at a responding Umatilla Tribal Police officer. The officer returned fire, striking Vigil. During the ensuing standoff, a bystander was also hit by gunfire.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following the event, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count superseding indictment on December 19, 2023. The charges included:
- Attempted murder
- Interference with commerce by robbery
- Use of a firearm during a crime of violence
- Assault with a dangerous weapon
- Illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon (under the Armed Career Criminal Act)
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon announced that Vigil changed his plea to guilty on April 7, 2026. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams and Arin Heinz.
Multi-Agency Investigation
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. They received critical assistance from several other law enforcement agencies, including:
- The ATF
- Hermiston Police Department
- Pendleton Police Department
- Oregon State Police
- Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office
- Morrow County Sheriff’s Office
Key Takeaways
| Defendant | Javier Francisco Vigil, 54 |
| Date of Crime | August 17, 2022 |
| Location | Wildhorse Resort and Casino, Umatilla Indian Reservation |
| Amount Stolen | Nearly $70,000 |
| Sentencing Date | August 4, 2026 |
Javier Francisco Vigil is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4 before a U.S. District court judge.
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