Leland James Vijarro, 26, of Toppenish, Washington, has been sentenced to 198 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting federal officers and firearm charges. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke.
Court documents indicate that on February 8, 2024, Vijarro broke into his brother’s home in Toppenish and stole thirteen firearms and a suppressor. Two days later, law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire coming from Vijarro’s vehicle. During a traffic stop, Vijarro fled and barricaded himself inside a nearby home. Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the area. Vijarro then went into the backyard and fired six shots from one of the stolen handguns at officers across the street; two Yakima County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were damaged during the incident. He eventually retreated to another residence before surrendering several hours later.
Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse stated that “the defendant possessed over a decade of criminal convictions and arrests characterized by assaults, arson, firearm offenses, thefts, and domestic violence crimes.” In seeking the sentence imposed by the court, Black Horse argued “the defendant’s criminal history, gang affiliation, and the circumstances surrounding the offense demonstrate that the defendant is a clear threat to public safety on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation.” She also said it was “fortunate in this case that no law enforcement officers were injured or killed as a result of the defendant’s conduct” and noted that a significant custodial sentence “will ensure the public is protected as long as possible from further violent crimes perpetrated by the defendant.”
The court cited Vijarro’s escalating violent behavior as grounds for imposing a lengthy sentence to protect community safety. The judge thanked Yakima County Sheriff’s Office officers present at sentencing for their service.
“Mr. Vijarro’s actions were violent and reckless. I am grateful for the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their own lives at risk to arrest him,” said U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano. “I’m grateful to AUSA Black Horse’s great work on this case; this is another example of the men and women of our office holding violent offenders accountable who are a danger to our community.”
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle, commented: “During two days of volatile and dangerous activities, Mr. Vijarro entered several houses that did not belong to him, including his own brother’s, to steal firearms and evade capture by law enforcement… Even worse, he used one of the stolen guns to shoot at law enforcement officers attempting to contain the situation. This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs, as emphasized in Operation Summer Heat, a nationwide initiative targeting violent criminals and restoring safety in our communities.”
Sheriff Robert Udell added: “On Feb 10, 2024, law enforcement officers and deputies were lucky to escape injury when they encountered Mr. Vijarro… A violent offender whose actions were without regard to anyone’s safety, we are grateful for the successful prosecution by AUSA Black Horse and her team… Our partnership with federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Washington continues to be a significant boon to Yakima County public safety.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this investigation; Assistant United States Attorney Bree R. Black Horse prosecuted.
