Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to murder the man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son, leaving many questioning where justice truly lies in this tragic case.
Quick Takes
- Velasquez chased and fired at Harry Goularte, his son’s alleged molester, injuring Goularte’s stepfather in the process
- Judge Arthur Bocanegra sentenced Velasquez to 5 years, far less than the 30 years to life prosecutors sought
- With credit for time served, Velasquez will likely serve less than two additional years in prison
- Goularte, who remains free under GPS monitoring despite allegedly molesting Velasquez’s son “100 times,” faces trial in June
- The case has sparked intense debate about vigilante justice and the protection of children
A Father’s Desperate Actions
In March of 2022, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez took matters into his own hands when he pursued Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son at a daycare in San Martin, California. The 42-year-old fighter chased Goularte’s pickup truck for 11 miles through Morgan Hill before opening fire with a .40 caliber handgun at an intersection. During the high-speed pursuit, Velasquez rammed the pickup truck containing Goularte, Goularte’s mother, and stepfather Paul Bender. The incident occurred dangerously close to a charter school as students were being dismissed.
While Goularte escaped injury, Bender was struck in the arm and torso, with one bullet severing a major artery. Court documents revealed that investigators later found searches on Velasquez’s phone related to families retaliating in sexual assault cases, suggesting premeditation. The fighter was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and other weapons violations. He ultimately pleaded no contest to the charges after spending over three years in jail.
JUST IN: Former UFC fighter Cain Velásquez sentenced to 5 years in prison for hunting down & firing at a man who allegedly mol*sted his 4-year-old son at daycare.
In 2022, Velásquez got in a high-speed, 11-mile chase with accused pedo Harry Goularte Jr. after finding out about… pic.twitter.com/BW8mWcCoq5
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 24, 2025
The Judge’s Difficult Decision
Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra faced the challenging task of determining an appropriate sentence for Velasquez. Prosecutors pushed for a severe penalty of 30 years to life in prison, while the defense requested probation and time served. In an emotionally charged courtroom in San Jose, Bocanegra reportedly had “tears in his eyes” as he delivered his verdict. The judge ultimately sentenced Velasquez to five years in prison, a decision that reflected the unique circumstances of the case.
“This is a tragic case,” Judge Bocanegra stated during sentencing. “Mr. Velasquez is not a danger to public safety. This case is unique and unlike any other case this court has presided over. The mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors.”
Bocanegra considered several factors in his decision, including Velasquez’s lack of prior criminal record, his evident remorse, and the impact a lengthy sentence would have on his family. The judge noted that “punishment comes in many ways, and one of the worst is forcing a father to not be present in his child’s life.” With credit for 1,283 days already served, Velasquez will likely spend less than two additional years behind bars. Before being taken into custody, the fighter was allowed a brief moment with his family.
The Alleged Abuser Remains Free
While Velasquez has been sentenced and imprisoned, Harry Goularte—the man accused of molesting the fighter’s son—awaits his trial scheduled for June 2025. According to court documents, Velasquez’s young son told investigators that Goularte had abused him “100 times” at a daycare facility operated by Goularte’s mother. Despite the severity of these allegations and prosecutors’ objections, Goularte remains free under GPS monitoring after pleading not guilty to charges of lewd acts with a minor.
The stark contrast between Velasquez’s immediate imprisonment and Goularte’s continued freedom has fueled outrage across the MMA community and beyond. Many have questioned the fairness of a justice system that would imprison a father for attempting to protect his child while allowing the alleged abuser to remain at liberty. The Velasquez family has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Goularte family and their businesses, seeking accountability through additional legal channels.
It’s crazy that Cain Velásquez was sentenced to 5 years!!! The only thing he did wrong was missing the target!!!
— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) March 25, 2025
The Broader Implications
The Velasquez case has ignited intense debate about vigilante justice, parental rights, and the adequacy of the legal system in protecting children from sexual abuse. The fighter himself has expressed remorse for his actions in interviews, acknowledging that he must accept the consequences of his decisions despite the unimaginable pain that drove them.
This case serves as a powerful reminder of the complex emotional and ethical dilemmas that arise when the legal system appears to fail those it’s designed to protect. For many parents, the suggestion that Goularte allegedly molested Velasquez’s son while at a daycare facility represents their worst nightmare. The outcome of Goularte’s upcoming trial will be closely watched by those invested in both the Velasquez family’s pursuit of justice and broader concerns about accountability for crimes against children.
