DENVER, CO – Justin Vigil, 31, of Denver, Colorado, is headed to federal prison for more than three years after pleading guilty to the theft of thirteen AR-15 style rifles from Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply in Littleton. U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced today that Vigil was sentenced to 39 months, followed by three years of supervised release. The brazen “smash-and-grab” burglary highlights a growing trend of targeted attacks on federally licensed firearm dealers.
According to court documents, Vigil and co-defendant Jonathan Estrada, 21, also of Denver, were part of a crew specializing in burglarizing gun stores. On January 18, 2018, the pair, along with five others, smashed a window at Murdoch’s and spent a mere three minutes inside, making off with the firearms. Agents with the Denver Field Division of the ATF quickly recovered evidence at Estrada’s residence, including five of the stolen rifles, Murdoch’s sales tags, and a chilling handwritten ledger detailing future targets.
This wasn’t just a simple theft. The stolen weapons pose a significant threat to public safety, officials say, likely destined for the hands of violent criminals, gangs, and drug trafficking organizations. The case took a further twist when Vigil, while awaiting trial, cut off his GPS ankle monitor and vanished. He remained a fugitive for several months, missing his initial change of plea hearing before finally being apprehended.
Estrada, already facing consequences for other crimes, received a 96-month (8 year) sentence on February 27, 2020, for carjacking and his involvement in both this gun store burglary and another similar incident. U.S. Attorney Dunn emphasized the seriousness of gun crimes, stating, “Prosecuting gun crimes is a top priority for my office and the Department of Justice… As these criminals target gun stores, federal law enforcement and my office will target them with laser focus.”
The ATF reports a disturbing rise in firearms thefts in Colorado. In 2019, 135 firearms were stolen in nine separate burglaries, a jump from 64 firearms stolen in eight burglaries in 2018. The peak occurred in 2017, with a staggering 427 firearms stolen across 28 burglaries. Nationally, 2019 saw 21,535 firearms stolen in 2,576 burglaries. “FFL burglaries and robberies are one of the top priorities of ATF,” stated David Booth, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Denver Field Division. “We will continue to use every resource available to ensure those responsible are brought to justice and ensure public safety.”
U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn handed down the sentence. The investigation involved a multi-agency effort including the Arvada, Aurora, Denver, and Lakewood Police Departments, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson County Crime Lab. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Treaster prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws. Further details can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado website and through PACER, case number 18-cr-421.
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Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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