In a Santa Clara county courthouse, Judge Arthur Bocanegra was visibly emotional as he sentenced former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez to five years in prison on Monday.
Reports indicate that Judge Bocanegra became choked up while addressing Velasquez. This followed Velasquez`s no contest plea to attempted murder and other charges stemming from a 2022 incident. Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed pursuit of a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, the man accused of molesting Velasquez’s young son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother.
During the chase, Velasquez discharged his .40 caliber handgun multiple times, accidentally hitting Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender. Bender sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Despite prosecutors requesting a 30-years-to-life sentence, Judge Bocanegra strongly disagreed. He stated that a significant punishment for Velasquez was already the forced absence from his child`s life.
In his sentencing decision, the judge considered various factors, acknowledging Velasquez as the offender in the attempted murder but also recognizing his family as victims due to the child molestation allegations against his son.
Judge Bocanegra also highlighted Velasquez’s lack of prior criminal history and his expressed remorse for the events of February 2022.
“This is a tragic case,” Judge Bocanegra stated in court. “Mr. Velasquez is not a danger to public safety.”
“This case is unique and unlike any other this court has overseen. The mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors.”
Velasquez was initially detained for eight months after his arrest, with bail repeatedly denied by another judge.
Judge Bocanegra eventually granted Velasquez bail, imposing house arrest with an ankle monitor and restrictions on work and travel.
Taking into account his prior jail time and house arrest, Velasquez received credit for 1,283 days served, potentially reducing his prison time to less than two years.
Following the sentencing, Velasquez was briefly allowed to spend time with his family before being taken into custody.
