Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for 2022 Shooting Incident

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison following a 2022 shooting incident in which he pursued and fired at a man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son. The sentencing took place in Santa Clara County, California, where Velasquez had previously pleaded no contest to charges including attempted murder and felony assault.

Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed pursuit throughout Silicon Valley in February 2022, focusing on 46-year-old Harry Goularte who was accused of criminal child abuse. During the pursuit, Velasquez fired three rounds from a.40-caliber handgun at a pickup carrying Goularte and two men.

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Goularte was not hurt; his stepfather, driving the car, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being struck twice. Public safety was called into question when the event happened close to the Morgan Hill Charter School during school dismissals. Regarding the matter, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, “One man’s decision to take the law into his own hands left an innocent man wounded and endangered schoolchildren, teachers, and many others in our community.”

Velasquez’s defense attorney, Renee Hessling, described the outcome as “bittersweet,” emphasizing that they had hoped to keep Velasquez out of prison. She highlighted Velasquez’s character, noting, “Cain has shown courage and strength of character. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable.”

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In a podcast interview with former teammate Kyle Kingsbury, Velasquez expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the danger he posed to others and stating, “We cannot put the law in our own hands.” Before this incident, Cain Velasquez was renowned for his achievements in mixed martial arts, securing the UFC heavyweight title twice before retiring in 2019. He later pursued a career in professional wrestling. With credit for time served, Velasquez may spend approximately one additional year in prison before becoming eligible for release.