Ex UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced today to five years in prison for his involvement in a 2022 shooting incident.
The charges stemmed from a February 2022 incident in which Velásquez pursued a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte Jr., the man accused of molesting Velásquez’s then 4-year-old son at a daycare facility. During the 11-mile high-speed chase through multiple cities in Silicon Valley, Velásquez allegedly rammed the vehicle and fired multiple shots from a .40-caliber pistol, intending to hit Goularte. However, one of the bullets struck Goularte’s stepfather, causing non-life-threatening injuries.
Prosecutors had initially sought a 30-year sentence for Velásquez. However, the court ultimately imposed a five-year prison term.
This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the complexities of vigilante actions and the legal system’s handling of such emotionally charged situations. Goularte Jr. is currently awaiting trial on felony child molestation charges and remains free under GPS monitoring.