Harry Goularte is set to face trial for allegedly molesting Cain Velasquez’s son
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez went on a vigilante rampage in 2022 when he shot several rounds at a car carrying the man who was allegedly abusing his four-year-old son.
Who is Harry Goularte who molested Cain Velasquez’s son in his mom’s childcare and was shot at by the UFC fighter in viral video
The 46-year-old Harry Goularte has been charged with several counts of child molestation, the most of which involved children who were enrolled at his mother’s childcare centre. Two other people were in the car, including the accused’s stepfather, who was struck twice during the shooting event.
The man accused of molesting the son of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has a jury trial date set in a near-three-year-long criminal case but Harry Goularte did not appear in person for a trial setting hearing Wednesday in Santa Clara county (Calif.) court, though he did join electronically as he was given a June 2 jury trial date by judge Benjamin Williams.
🚨UFC legend Cain Velasquez will be sentenced today at 4:30 PM ET.
Prosecutors want 25 years to life; the defense seeks no prison time.Cain took justice into his own hands, targeting Harry Goularte—the man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son over 100 times at a daycare run… pic.twitter.com/4nJkTiYLmv
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) March 24, 2025
Goularte faces one felony count of lewd acts with a minor after he was accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son at a daycare owned and operated by his mother in February 2022 and since his arrest, Goularte has been out on bail with GPS monitoring. He has maintained his innocence and has pleaded not guilty and the Velasquez family is suing the Goularte and his family, as well as their associated businesses, in an ongoing civil lawsuit.
Days after his release, Goularte and his family were pursued in a high-speed car chase during which Velasquez pursued them and fired a handgun that struck and injured Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender.
Velasquez was arrested on a litany of felony charges, including attempted murder and was held without bail for nine months before he was eventually released on $1 million bail with conditions in November 2022.
In August 2024, following several court hearings, Cain Velasquez entered a plea of “no contest” to attempted murder charges. On March 24, 2025, the boxer was subsequently given a five-year prison sentence.
Renee Hessling, Cain Velasquez’s defense lawyer, was not entirely persuaded by the court’s ruling since they had hoped that jail time would not be recorded. Hessling praised the American fighter’s bravery and strength throughout the past three years.
“Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character,” Hessling stated. “He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable. The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines.”
Following the hearing, members of Harry Goularte’s family also spoke to the media. His stepfather, Paul Bender, and mother, Patricia Goularte, were not happy with the court hearing.
The MMA community united to oppose the court’s ruling and applaud the fighter for his bravery in confronting the alleged abuser. Renato Moicano, a Brazilian lightweight competitor, expressed support for Velasquez’s conduct on X.
JUST IN: Former UFC fighter Cain Velásquez sentenced to 5 years in prison for hunting down & firing at a man who allegedly mol*sted his 4-year-old son at daycare.
In 2022, Velásquez got in a high-speed, 11-mile chase with accused pedo Harry Goularte Jr. after finding out about… pic.twitter.com/BW8mWcCoq5
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 24, 2025
Reactions of netizens
Fans have taken over X to express their sadness with the ruling and provide alternate strategies for handling the case, while the boxers have begun banding together in the call for justice.
One of the users wrote, “I don’t think a five years sentence is fair, one year max would have been enough, after all he was justified for what he did.”
Another one stated, “Free Cain Velasquez!”
“@danawhite use your super powers to oil up Donald Trump and get Cain Velasquez pardoned, ” another added.
Even though Velasquez was given a five-year prison sentence, there are rumours that he might be out in a year and a half. He may have received a lighter sentence because of his exemplary behaviour while inside and the amount of time he has already spent.
‼️ Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading no contest to the attempted murder of Harry Goularte—the 45-year-old man accused of m*lesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son over “100 times” at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother.
If you know anything about… https://t.co/qat1FVlMHS pic.twitter.com/TwL1uLYIBU
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) March 24, 2025