Oregon Casino Robber Who Believed He Was God Sentenced to 20 Years

A man who threatened to “bathe everyone in blood” during a robbery at Oregon’s Wildhorse Resort and Casino has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Javier Vigil, 55, pleaded guilty on April 7 to charges of attempted murder, robbery, and illegally possessing a firearm in relation to the August 17, 2022, hold up at the casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Insanity Defense Abandoned

The plea came unexpectedly, two days into his trial, after he had initially claimed insanity. Nevertheless, U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman on Tuesday (August 4) ordered Vigil to serve his term in a federal psychiatric center, citing a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and opiate use disorder.

During the robbery, Vigil claimed to be God before opening fire at a responding Umatilla tribal police officer as he fled, injuring a bystander, according to federal prosecutors.

Vigil entered the casino wearing a baseball cap, gloves, and sunglasses. He approached the cashier and handed over a note demanding $1 million. When the cashier laughed, believing it was a joke, Vigil pulled out a pistol and repeated the demand.

Realizing the threat was genuine, the cashier removed about $70,000 from a cash drawer and secretly activated the emergency alarm before placing the money in a clear plastic bag on the counter. Vigil left the casino with the cash less than two minutes after walking inside.

Outside, he encountered a tribal police officer taking cover behind a patrol vehicle and fired at him. The officer returned fire, striking Vigil. A Pendleton School District employee attending a casino event with colleagues was caught in the crossfire.

God Delusion

Vigil was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was arrested and later formally charged. According to investigators, he told police he believed he was God and was therefore entitled to rob the casino.

He also said he had intentionally avoided shooting directly at the officer because he did not want to injure him.

“Vigil gambled and lost when he chose to rob this casino with a gun,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford in an official statement. “His violent actions endangered innocent employees, patrons, and a law enforcement officer. He deserved and received the full consequences under federal law.”