Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison. This sentencing follows his no-contest plea to multiple charges, including attempted murder, stemming from his arrest in 2022, according to various reports.
This sentencing concludes a three-year legal process that began after Velasquez faced numerous charges, such as premeditated attempted murder, felony assault, and firearm-related offenses. Velasquez was present in court with his family and legal counsel when Judge Arthur Bocanegra delivered the sentence.
The prosecution had requested a sentence ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment, while Velasquez`s defense team argued for probation and time already served. Ultimately, Velasquez received a five-year prison sentence.
Velasquez will receive credit for the three years he has already served, which will reduce his total prison time. He was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing.
The events leading to the former UFC champion`s arrest began in February 2022. Velasquez initiated an 11-mile high-speed pursuit of a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, who was accused of sexually assaulting Velasquez`s son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother. Goularte is facing separate child molestation charges but was released on bail against the prosecution`s recommendations following his arrest.
During the high-speed chase, Velasquez fired several shots from a .40-caliber handgun at Goularte`s vehicle. However, one of the bullets struck Goularte`s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm, causing non-life-threatening injuries.
After the car chase ended, Velasquez was arrested without resistance by the Morgan Hill Police Department. He was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, leading to his detention for eight months before being granted bail.
The district attorney also revealed that “a search of the suspect`s phone found searches for ‘sexual assault case where victims family fights back’ and ‘sexual assault cases where victims family retaliates.’”
In a pre-sentencing memorandum, Deputy District Attorney Aaron French outlined the reasons for seeking a substantial penalty for Velasquez`s actions.
“The defendant’s crime is severe,” French stated. “Justice demands a sentence that is equally severe. To hold the defendant accountable for his reckless and dangerous actions and the lasting physical and psychological injuries he left upon the victims and the community, the court should impose a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.”
Velasquez remained free on bail while awaiting trial. He later reached an agreement with the district attorney`s office to plead no-contest, which removed the premeditated attempted murder charge that could have resulted in a life sentence if he had been convicted.
Following his release on bail, Velasquez resumed coaching MMA and made appearances as a professional wrestler while awaiting his sentencing date. There were several postponements before Velasquez finally appeared in court on Monday to learn his punishment.
After his initial arrest, numerous figures within the MMA community, including his close friend and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, voiced their support for Velasquez. UFC CEO Dana White even penned a letter of support for Velasquez while he was initially detained after his bail was denied.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is now preparing to enter prison following his sentencing. However, it is anticipated that his actual time served will be significantly less than five years.
