High-Profile Case: MMA Fighter’s Actions Ignite Debate Over Justice and Crime

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Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to kill the man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son, igniting a heated national debate about the limits of parental protection and vigilante justice.

Top Takeaways

  • Velasquez chased Harry Goularte, his son’s alleged molester, for 11 miles in a high-speed pursuit before firing multiple shots, injuring Goularte’s stepfather.
  • Judge Arthur Bocanegra, who was reportedly emotional during sentencing, gave Velasquez 5 years instead of 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 allegedly molested Velasquez’s son, remains free on GPS monitoring while awaiting his June trial.
  • The case has sparked outrage in the MMA community and beyond, with many supporting Velasquez’s actions as those of a desperate father.

A Father’s Desperate Actions

In March of 2022, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, 42, embarked on an 11-mile high-speed chase of a pickup truck containing Harry Goularte, the man accused of repeatedly molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son at a daycare facility in San Martin. Armed with a .40 caliber handgun, Velasquez rammed the vehicle and opened fire at an intersection in Morgan Hill, California. The shooting occurred near a charter school as students were leaving, endangering bystanders. While Goularte escaped unharmed, his stepfather, Paul Bender, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when bullets struck him in the torso and arm, severing a major artery.

Investigators later discovered that Velasquez had conducted searches on his phone related to families retaliating in sexual assault cases, suggesting premeditation. Despite the disturbing nature of these allegations, Goularte was released on bail with GPS monitoring while awaiting his trial for lewd acts with a minor, a decision that prosecutors had strongly opposed.

The Court’s Difficult Decision

In a courtroom filled with tension, Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra delivered his verdict with visible emotion. Velasquez faced 10 felony charges, including attempted murder, assault, and weapons violations. While prosecutors pushed for a 30-year to life sentence, the defense requested probation and credit for time already served. Ultimately, Bocanegra sentenced Velasquez to five years, acknowledging the unique circumstances of the case and considering Velasquez’s previously clean record, his remorse, and the impact on his family.

“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.”

The judge further reflected on the profound impact of the sentence on Velasquez’s family, noting 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 in prison. Before being taken into custody, Velasquez was granted a moment with his family, a poignant conclusion to a sentencing that brought the judge to tears.

Public Reaction and Ongoing Legal Battles

The Velasquez case has sparked significant debate across America, particularly within the MMA community where the former champion is widely respected. Many supporters argue that Velasquez acted as any parent would when faced with the horror of their child being abused and a justice system that allowed the alleged abuser to walk free. Meanwhile, critics point to the dangerous nature of Velasquez’s actions and the risk posed to innocent bystanders during the chase and shooting.

While Velasquez serves his sentence, Goularte’s criminal trial is scheduled for June. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of lewd acts with a minor. Meanwhile, the Velasquez family has filed a civil lawsuit against the Goularte family and their businesses, seeking justice through multiple legal avenues. Velasquez himself has expressed remorse for his actions in a podcast interview, acknowledging that despite his intentions as a protective father, his methods crossed legal boundaries. As both cases proceed, they continue to raise profound questions about where justice truly lies when children are victimized and parents feel the system has failed them.

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