Aneth Man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Crimes Related to Shooting at Law Enforcement Agents

SALT LAKE CITY – Cecil T. Vijil Jr., 39, of Aneth, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison after being convicted of assaulting an FBI Special Agent and assaulting a San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy with a dangerous weapon within Indian Country. Vijil was sentenced to an additional 12 months in prison for escaping from federal custody during his pre-trial detention in Cache County, Utah. After his release from federal prison, Vijil has been ordered to serve five years of supervised release.

According to allegations contained in a federal complaint, Vijil opened fire on an FBI Special Agent and a San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle on April 30, 2020. The FBI agent and the Sheriff’s Deputy 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 to 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.

In the plea agreement, Vijil admitted that he forcibly assaulted an FBI Special Agent while the agent was engaged in the performance of her official duties by shooting at the agent with a rifle. Vijil also admitted that he shot at another victim known as “C.W.” within the geographical boundaries of Indian Country and that he intended to do harm to C.W. Vijil also admitted that he escaped from the Cache County Jail while being held in federal pre-trial custody on charges related to shooting at the FBI Special Agent and “C.W.”

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.