Former UFC
heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez
has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder, stemming from a 2022 incident where he pursued and fired at a man accused of molesting his young son. The sentencing took place on March 24, 2025, at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California.
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Velasquez’s Sentence and Possible Early Release
The UFC Legend Is Expected To Serve One Year In Prison
Velasquez pleaded no contest to charges
including attempted murder, felony assault, and related gun charges. Prosecutors initially sought a 30-year sentence, emphasizing the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands. However, the court ultimately sentenced him to five years in prison, taking into account the time he had already served.
Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra was reportedly emotional, with tears in his eyes, as he handed down the sentence. He described separating a son from his father as the harshest punishment and imposed the most lenient sentence available.
Given the nearly three years Velasquez has spent in custody and under home confinement, he is expected to serve approximately one more year before becoming eligible for release. His time behind bars could be further reduced based on good behavior and other legal considerations.
The High-Speed Chase And Arrest
In February 2022, Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed chase, during which he fired multiple shots at a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, the man facing felony child molestation charges involving Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. Also in the vehicle were Goularte’s mother and stepfather, Paul Bender, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by gunfire.
Authorities arrested Velasquez shortly after the incident, and he was initially held without bail for over eight months. Prosecutors emphasized the risks associated with vigilante justice, arguing that Velasquez’s actions endangered numerous bystanders. Despite public support for the former fighter, the court determined that his actions warranted a prison sentence.
Emotional Courtroom and Public Reaction
During the sentencing hearing, Velasquez expressed remorse, acknowledging that his actions were reckless. His wife and daughter also addressed the court, providing emotional statements about the impact of the case on their family. The courtroom was filled with supporters from both sides, underscoring the case’s profound effect on the community.
Meanwhile, Harry Goularte, the individual accused of molesting Velasquez’s son, awaits trial for felony child molestation charges. He has pleaded not guilty and remains out of custody under GPS monitoring.
Cain Velasquez, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 and briefly pursued a professional wrestling career before his legal troubles. His case has sparked widespread discussion about vigilante justice and California law that allowed the alleged child molester out on bail.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
