Umatilla County Man Pleads Guilty to Charges in WRC Armed Robbery

PORTLAND – A Umatilla County man pleaded guilty on April 7 during the second day of trial for attempted murder, robbery and felon in possession of a firearm related to an armed robbery of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino (WRC) on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2022.

Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, robbery and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (Armed Career Criminal Act).

According to court documents, on Aug. 17, 2022, Vigil entered the WRC, walked to the cashier cage in the gaming area and handed the cashier a note demanding $1 million. Vigil then drew a holstered pistol, pointed it at the cashier and threatened to “bathe everyone in blood.” After getting nearly $70,000 in cash, Vigil exited the casino and shot at the responding Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) officer, who returned fire striking Vigil.

On Dec. 19, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count superseding indictment 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 illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

“We are very proud of the response of our employees who were faced with this challenging situation more than three years ago,” WRC CEO Gary George said. “We want to thank our tribal police partners, as well as all the government officials and prosecutors who helped bring this matter to a close.”

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

Vigil will be sentenced on Aug. 4 before a U.S. District Court judge.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the UTPD with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms; 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 are prosecuting the case.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.