Cecil T. Vijil Jr., Shooting at Law Enforcement, Utah 2020

A 39-year-old man from Aneth, Utah, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for his role in a violent confrontation with law enforcement agents in April 2020.

Cecil T. Vijil Jr. was found guilty of assaulting an FBI Special Agent and a San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy with a dangerous weapon within Indian Country. He was sentenced to 96 months in prison for the assault charges and an additional 12 months for escaping from federal custody during his pre-trial detention in Cache County, Utah.

According to a federal complaint, Vijil opened fire on the two law enforcement agents with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle on April 30, 2020. The agents had gone to Vijil’s home to question him about his involvement in an incident where he allegedly shot at a store in Mexican Hat earlier the same day.

Upon their arrival at his home, Vijil exited his home and shot several rounds from the rifle that were directed at the vehicle being driven by the Sheriff’s Deputy and the FBI agent.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. The case was investigated by Special Agents from the FBI and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

Vijil has been ordered to serve five years of supervised release after his release from federal prison.

Defendant: Cecil T. Vijil Jr. | Charges: Assaulting an FBI Special Agent and a San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy with a dangerous weapon, escaping from federal custody | City: Aneth, Utah | State: Utah | Date: April 30, 2020 | Sentence: 108 months in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release |

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