In an unexpected turn of events, Cain Velasquez, former champion of the UFC heavyweight category and an All-American wrestler nurtured at Arizona State University, has been handed a five-year prison sentence. The sentence was related to a case of vigilante gun violence that unfolded in San Jose, California, back in 2022.
Velasquez, a Yuma native, was implicated in the event that led to his arrest the same year. The California legal system had him up against numerous serious felonies. Among these charges were attempted murder, the heavily-weighted premeditated attempted murder, as well as accusations related to firearm offenses.
The victim of Velasquez’s violent outburst was Harry Goularte, who at the time was under suspicion of molesting Velasquez’s toddler son, aged just four years. The sequence of events unfolded when Velasquez reportedly pursued Goularte, who was in a vehicle, and began firing shots.
As it happened, Goularte was not the sole occupant of the car during the incident. In fact, his stepfather was also present and unfortunately became an indirect victim after a bullet hit him in the arm. Luckily, the injuries sustained were not fatal, allowing him to recuperate from the wound.
In the following months, Velasquez faced the charges in court and in August, he chose to plead no contest. Notably, this decision led to the dismissal of the most severe charge he was facing: premeditated attempted murder. Had he been convicted of this charge, he would have been looking at a potential life-long sentence.
On the 24th of March, the court, represented by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra, finally passed the verdict on the Velasquez case. The former UFC champion was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary.
In an interesting turn, the judge decided to credit Velasquez with a three-year period he had already served. This included almost a full year spent in the confines of a jail cell, and nearly two years spent in a state of enforced house arrest.
Among those present during Velasquez’s sentencing was Patricia Goularte, the mother of Harry Goularte. Patricia is also the proprietress of the daycare center where the allegations of the assault against Velasquez’s son originated.
The prosecutors for the case pointed out that the horrific crime against Velasquez’s son occurred under the care of Patricia’s daycare. Raising some eyebrows, Patricia Goularte voiced objections against the sentence given to Velasquez.
Interestingly, Patricia felt that Velasquez’s sentencing was unduly influenced by the charges that her son was currently facing. She further made it clear that they plan to defend his innocence against any accusations.
Despite the controversies and the sentencing of Velasquez, the trial of Harry Goularte in Santa Clara is still looming. Scheduled to commence in June, the legal battle promises to continue the saga.
In the impending trial, Harry Goularte will be contending with at least one significant felony charge. Specifically, he is accused of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, adding further gravity to his situation.