Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to charges of attempted murder. The case stems from a February 2022 incident in which Velasquez, in an act of vigilante justice, pursued and fired at a man accused of molesting his young son.
The 42-year-old ex-fighter engaged in an 11-mile high-speed chase through San Jose, California, before opening fire with a .40-caliber handgun at a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, the man accused of abusing his then-4-year-old son. However, instead of striking Goularte, Velasquez hit Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, who was also inside the vehicle.
Velasquez was arrested on February 28, 2022, and charged with multiple offences, including attempted murder and assault with a firearm. He remained in custody for eight months before being granted bail in November 2022. In August 2024, he pleaded no contest, leading to his recent sentencing.
Prosecutors initially sought a 30-year prison term, but the court ultimately handed down a five-year sentence. The case has sparked widespread debate, with many in the MMA community expressing support for Velasquez, viewing his actions as those of a desperate father rather than a criminal. However, legal experts have emphasized the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.
Velasquez’s sentencing marks the conclusion of a high-profile case that has captivated both the sports world and the public, raising questions about justice, self-defence, and the limits of vigilantism.
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