Former UFC Champion’s Shocking Legal Plea in High-Profile Vigilante Case

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez pleads no contest to attempted murder charges in a shocking vigilante justice case.

At a Glance

Velasquez entered a no-contest plea to felony attempted murder and other charges
The charges stem from a 2022 incident where Velasquez shot at a man accused of molesting his son
The plea deal aims to avoid a mandatory life sentence
Sentencing is scheduled for October 18

Former UFC Champion Takes Plea Deal in Attempted Murder Case

In a surprising turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has entered a no-contest plea to charges of attempted murder and multiple weapons offenses. The charges stem from a February 2022 incident where Velasquez allegedly pursued and shot at a man accused of molesting his young son. The plea was entered before Judge Arthur Bocanegra at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California.

The 42-year-old fighter was initially facing a potential life sentence if convicted of premeditated attempted murder. However, with this plea deal, those charges will be dropped, significantly reducing his potential sentence. Velasquez was released on $1 million bail in November 2022 and has been under home detention with GPS monitoring since.

The Incident: A High-Stakes Chase

According to court documents, Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed chase, pursuing a pickup truck carrying Harry Goularte, the man accused of abusing Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. During the pursuit, Velasquez allegedly fired multiple shots at the vehicle, wounding Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender. The incident occurred near an elementary school, putting numerous bystanders at risk.

“This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner. His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents who could have been injured or killed as he shot at his intended victim,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.”

The case has sparked intense debate about vigilantism and the complexities of achieving justice through legal channels. Searches on Velasquez’s phone revealed he had been looking for information on “sexual assault cases where victims family fights back,” highlighting the emotional turmoil behind his actions.

Legal Implications and Public Response

While many in the mixed martial arts community have shown support for Velasquez, legal experts emphasize the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands. The plea deal aims to strike a balance between acknowledging the severity of Velasquez’s actions and considering his lack of prior criminal history.

The case has been polarizing, with some viewing Velasquez as a protective father pushed to the brink, while others emphasize the importance of following legal procedures. The county probation department will produce a sentencing recommendation, considering both the gravity of the incident and Velasquez’s background.

Looking Ahead

As the sentencing date of October 18 approaches, many eyes will be on the Santa Clara County court. The outcome of this high-profile case could have significant implications for how similar cases of vigilante justice are handled in the future. Meanwhile, Harry Goularte, the alleged molester, continues to face felony child molestation charges and is out on supervised release with GPS monitoring.

The Velasquez case serves as a stark reminder of the complex emotions and difficult choices families face when dealing with allegations of child abuse. It also underscores the importance of allowing the justice system to function as intended, even in the face of unimaginable pain and anger.