A Umatilla County man has admitted that he was behind a chaotic armed robbery at Wildhorse Resort & Casino that ended in an exchange of gunfire with tribal police. Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted murder, robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm after storming the casino on August 17, 2022, demanding $1 million and threatening to “bathe everyone in blood.” He ultimately left with nearly $70,000 before running into officers outside. Vigil is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2026, in U.S. District Court.
Plea and charges
As reported by KPTV, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced Vigil’s guilty plea after Vigil changed course on the second day of his federal trial. Prosecutors said the plea covers attempted murder, robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which triggers tougher penalties for repeat offenders. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has listed August 4, 2026, as the sentencing date.
How the robbery unfolded
According to court documents and a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Vigil walked directly to the cashier cage at Wildhorse on August 17, 2022, and handed over a note demanding $1 million. He then pulled a pistol and threatened to "bathe everyone in blood." Staff handed over nearly $70,000 in cash, after which Vigil left the casino.
Outside, investigators say Vigil fired at a Umatilla Tribal Police officer who confronted him during his getaway. The officer returned fire and hit Vigil, who was later treated at a local hospital, according to the same U.S. Attorney’s Office release.
Why federal prosecutors stepped in
Federal authorities took the lead on the case because the robbery targeted a commercial casino located on tribal land and involved a firearm being discharged at a law enforcement officer, giving federal prosecutors jurisdiction and raising the stakes on potential charges. Multiple agencies, including the Umatilla Tribal Police, the Pendleton Police Department and the FBI, responded to the incident and assisted with the investigation, according to contemporaneous reporting by OPB.
Next steps and penalties
With the guilty plea entered, Vigil now faces sentencing under federal statutes that carry significant prison time, particularly with the Armed Career Criminal Act and federal firearms enhancements in play. A 2022 press release noted that the charges carried a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison along with other penalties, which will be weighed at the August 2026 sentencing hearing by the judge and counsel, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Where it happened
Wildhorse Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and sits about four miles east of Pendleton. The resort lists its address as 46510 Wildhorse Blvd., Pendleton, OR 97801. The casino is a major employer in the region, and its leadership previously said security staff and tribal police moved quickly in response to the 2022 shooting, as reported by OPB.
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