Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez entered a plea of no contest in his 2022 attempted murder case, involving felony assault and gun charges, as part of a negotiated agreement with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office. The charges stemmed from an incident where Velasquez allegedly shot at another vehicle during a high-speed chase, injuring the stepfather of a man accused of molesting a 4-year-old relative of Velasquez. Despite the plea, Velasquez still faces prison time, but the premeditated murder charges against him will be dropped, eliminating the possibility of a mandatory life sentence with parole.
The man accused of molesting the child is the son of a woman who operated a daycare attended by the victim. The shooting put children and parents at risk, as Velasquez took it upon himself to act as judge, jury, and executioner in the situation, endangering innocent bystanders. Velasquez is suspected of using a .40-caliber handgun to fire multiple rounds at the pickup truck, with the stepfather being injured in the arm and torso. Despite the stepfather not being the intended target, Velasquez’s actions had serious consequences that could have resulted in more severe injuries or fatalities.
Velasquez was arrested in 2022 and was released on bail in November of that year while awaiting trial. The man accused of sexual abuse, Harry Goularte, is awaiting trial on child molestation charges. Velasquez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 18, and he and his attorney, Renee Hessling, declined to comment after a recent court hearing. Velasquez had a successful career in the UFC, earning his first heavyweight championship in 2012 by defeating Junior dos Santos and defending it twice.
The premeditated murder charges being dropped against Velasquez as part of the plea agreement offer some leniency in his potential sentence, but he still faces the possibility of imprisonment. Velasquez will no longer be facing a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole, as he has pleaded no contest to felony assault and gun charges. Despite his successful career in MMA, Velasquez’s involvement in this case has tarnished his reputation and will likely have long-lasting consequences for his personal and professional life.
The incident involving Velasquez, the attempted murder case, and the accusations of child molestation have raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of those involved. The fact that children and their parents were put at risk due to Velasquez’s actions highlights the seriousness of the situation and the potential impact it could have had. The case is a reminder of the consequences of violence and vigilantism, emphasizing the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle such matters rather than individuals taking matters into their own hands.
The legal proceedings surrounding Velasquez’s case, the charges against him, and the implications for his future raise questions about accountability, justice, and the impact of criminal behavior. Despite his status as a former UFC champion, Velasquez is now facing the consequences of his actions and will have to address the fallout of this case. The sentencing hearing scheduled for October will determine the next steps for Velasquez, as he awaits the final decision on his fate in relation to the attempted murder charges and the potential impact on his life and career moving forward.
