Man admits holdup of Wildhorse Resort and Casino; demanded $1 million, threatened to ‘bathe everyone in blood’
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Umatilla County man who pulled a gun on a casino cashier, demanded $1 million and threatened to "bathe everyone in blood" pleaded guilty Tuesday to the 2022 armed robbery of the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, federal prosecutors said.
Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, robbery, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (Armed Career Criminal Act) on the second day of his trial, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Wednesday.
According to court documents, on August 17, 2022, Vigil entered the Wildhorse Casino, walked straight to the cashier cage in the gaming area, and handed the cashier a note demanding $1 million.
Prosecutors say 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 officer, who returned fire, striking Vigil.
On Dec. 19, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 6-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 (Armed Career Criminal Act).
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
Vigil will be sentenced on August 4 before a U.S. district court judge.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, with the assistance of ATF, 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.
