Posted on: April 10, 2026, 11:47 AM.
Last updated on: April 10, 2026, 11:47 AM.
- Oregon resident admits guilt after a brutal casino heist and confrontation with law enforcement
- Suspect declared himself God and shot at an officer, injuring an innocent bystander
- Court documents unveil mental health issues and fentanyl usage
An Oregon resident, who threatened to “bathe everyone in blood” during his robbery at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has entered a guilty plea to charges of attempted murder, robbery, and illegal firearms possession.
During the incident, 54-year-old Javier Francisco Vigil claimed divinity and discharged his weapon at a Umatilla tribal officer as he attempted to flee, resulting in injuries to a bystander, as revealed in court filings.
Vigil’s unexpected guilty plea on April 7 came just two days into his trial at the U.S. District Court in Oregon.
Terrifying Ultimatum
On August 17, 2022, Vigil entered the casino donning a baseball cap, gloves, and sunglasses. Approaching the cashier’s cage, he presented a note demanding $1 million. The cashier laughed, mistaking it for a prank, leading Vigil to brandish a handgun and make a menacing declaration.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the cashier managed to gather $70,000 from the register while secretly triggering the emergency alarm and placed the cash in a clear plastic bag on the counter. Vigil exited the establishment with the bag just two minutes after his arrival.
Outside, he encountered the tribal police officer who was taking cover behind a squad car and opened fire. The officer returned fire, striking Vigil. A Pendleton School District worker visiting the casino with colleagues for an event was inadvertently caught in the line of fire.
Vigil was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was subsequently taken into custody and formally charged. He asserted to the police that he felt justified in robbing the casino because he believed he was God. He even claimed that he intentionally avoided targeting the officer directly to prevent injury.
Mental Health Concerns
Vigil’s family reported that he has been grappling with mental health challenges for several years. Just before the incident, he had ceased his prescribed mental health medications due to their interference with his fentanyl use, according to court documentation.
As per his defense team, Vigil was diagnosed with bipolar disorder accompanied by manic episodes featuring psychotic traits, with psychiatrists indicating that he did not comprehend the immorality of his conduct. His lawyers intended to pursue an insanity defense.
However, on the first day of the trial, Judge Michael Mosman conducted a hearing in a sealed courtroom which established that Vigil was competent to stand trial.
Vigil is set to face sentencing on August 4. As per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon, he could receive a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a potential fine of $250,000.