San Jose, California – Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to attempted murder in a shooting incident in 2022. Velasquez faced charges for chasing a man accused of molesting his son and firing a gun multiple times at the man’s truck, emphasizing the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.
The sentencing in Santa Clara County marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for Velasquez, whose defense lawyer described the outcome as “bittersweet”. Despite hoping to keep Velasquez out of prison, the retired heavyweight athlete has taken responsibility for his actions during what the District Attorney’s Office called a “vigilante shooting spree”.
The incident occurred less than a week after the accused molester, Harry Goularte, was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a four-year-old child. Goularte, who was released under house arrest, was on his way to retrieve an electronic monitoring bracelet when Velasquez pursued him in a car chase spanning nearly 18 kilometers, leading to Goularte’s stepfather being hit twice.
Velasquez, known for his successful UFC career, acknowledged the recklessness of his actions in a podcast interview with his former teammate. He emphasized the importance of not taking the law into one’s hands and reflected on the potential harm caused to innocent individuals caught in the crossfire of his pursuit of justice.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned Velasquez’s actions, highlighting the risk posed to innocent bystanders during the chase. Rosen urged individuals to seek justice through legal channels rather than resorting to vigilantism, underscoring the importance of upholding the law to protect the community.
Velasquez’s legal troubles mark a stark contrast to his achievements in the octagon, where he claimed the UFC heavyweight championship in 2010. With his last professional fight dating back to 2019, Velasquez’s legacy now includes a criminal conviction that serves as a cautionary tale against taking the law into one’s own hands.