UFC Legend FREED After Hunting Child Predator
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez walked free from prison on parole after serving time for hunting down his young son’s alleged child molester in a high-speed chase that ended in gunfire—a case that exposes the justice system’s failure to protect the most vulnerable.
Story Snapshot
- Cain Velasquez released on parole February 15, 2026, after shooting at his son’s alleged abuser in 2022
- The alleged child molester, Harry Goularte Jr., was released on personal recognizance bond before Velasquez’s actions
- Velasquez served approximately three years with credit for time served and rehabilitative programs
- Goularte still faces felony charges for lewd acts with a minor, with trial scheduled for March 9, 2026
Father’s Desperate Response to Alleged Abuse
Cain Velasquez, a former UFC heavyweight champion who knocked out Brock Lesnar to claim the title in 2010, was released on parole after serving time for a February 28, 2022 shooting incident in Santa Clara County, California. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Velasquez’s release following his five-year prison sentence imposed in March 2025. Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed car chase targeting Harry Goularte Jr., the man accused of sexually molesting his four-year-old son at a family-owned daycare facility. During the pursuit, Velasquez fired at Goularte’s vehicle but struck Goularte’s stepfather instead, injuring him.
Justice System’s Troubling Bail Decision
The incident occurred after Goularte was arrested for allegedly committing child sexual abuse against Velasquez’s young son but was subsequently released from custody on a personal recognizance bond. This decision to release an accused child predator without requiring bail appears to have shattered Velasquez’s faith in the legal system’s ability to protect his family. The case highlights a critical failure: parents entrust their children to daycare facilities expecting safety, yet when abuse allegedly occurs and the perpetrator walks free, what recourse remains? Velasquez was formally charged with attempted first-degree murder and additional gun assault charges on March 2, 2022. He spent eight months in custody before being granted $1 million bail in November 2022.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Velasquez pleaded no contest to all charges on August 16, 2024, acknowledging the criminality of his actions despite his protective motivations. During his March 24, 2025 sentencing hearing, he called his actions “reckless and dangerous” and stated he was “truly sorry,” telling the judge he “completely agreed with whatever the judge’s sentencing sees fit.” The court sentenced him to five years in prison plus four years of supervised probation. Velasquez received credit for time served while awaiting trial and sentencing, along with participation in rehabilitative programs, which contributed to his February 2026 release. His defense attorney indicated Velasquez was not available for comment following his release from custody.
Ongoing Case Against Alleged Abuser
While Velasquez serves his supervised probation, Harry Goularte Jr. continues to face a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor, with his trial scheduled to begin March 9, 2026. Velasquez has also filed a civil case against Goularte seeking accountability through the legal system. The alleged victim, Velasquez’s son, remains unidentified as a minor protected by privacy laws. The broader implications raise questions about childcare facility oversight and background check procedures, particularly when family-operated daycares create environments where abuse can allegedly occur. UFC CEO Dana White provided a letter to the court describing Velasquez as a “model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself,” demonstrating institutional support despite the criminal conviction.
The case ultimately reflects the tension between a father’s primal instinct to protect his child and the rule of law that prohibits vigilante justice. Many parents watching this case unfold understand Velasquez’s rage when facing allegations their child was violated while the accused perpetrator walked free on a personal recognizance bond. Yet the legal system exists to prevent precisely this type of response, however understandable the motivation. Velasquez now faces four years of supervised probation while attempting to rebuild his life and support his family through the ongoing legal proceedings against his son’s alleged abuser.
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Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez released from prison after 2022 shooting
Former UFC champ Cain Velasquez released from prison on parole