Cain Velasquez acknowledged his responsibility for his behavior in court on Monday, just before a judge sentenced him to five years in prison. This sentencing followed his no-contest plea to attempted murder charges.
The former UFC heavyweight champion, who was initially arrested in February 2022, was given the opportunity to speak before Judge Arthur Bocanegra announced his sentence. Velasquez faced multiple serious felony charges after he engaged in an 11-mile high-speed pursuit of a vehicle and shot at it with a handgun. Harry Goularte, who was in the vehicle, had been accused of sexually abusing Velasquez`s young son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother.
Ultimately, Paul Bender, Goularte`s stepfather, was hit by a bullet but sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. Velasquez was then arrested without any further incident. Addressing the court on Monday, Velasquez expressed remorse for his actions.
“I am deeply sorry,” Velasquez stated in court, according to various reports. “My actions were irresponsible and extremely dangerous. I am ashamed and regretful of how I behaved on the day of my crime.”
“In the aftermath of this, my wish is for healing for my family, and to the Goularte family, I wish healing, and to the community, I wish healing.”
Prosecutors in the case had sought a sentence of 30 years to life for Velasquez, while his defense lawyers argued for time already served and probation.
In the end, Judge Bocanegra leaned towards a lighter punishment, recognizing that while Velasquez needed to be held accountable for his crime, his family had also suffered due to his young son’s involvement in the alleged child sexual abuse case.
Although Velasquez was given a five-year prison sentence, he will receive credit for 1,283 days already served, which includes his previous time in jail and time spent under house arrest.
It is anticipated that Velasquez will ultimately serve less than two years in prison, and possibly even less, depending on any credit he might earn for good behavior.
Velasquez, supported by friends and family in the courtroom, was allowed a brief moment with his wife and children before being taken into custody to begin his sentence.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham