The mother of the alleged molester feels that Cain Velasquez’s punishment is far too lenient.
On Monday, Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose after pleading no contest in August to a series of offenses, most notably attempted murder. His sentencing comes nearly three years after his initial arrest in February 2022.
Of the five-year sentence handed down to the former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez received credit for 1,283 days — accounting for both his time in jail and his period on house arrest.
His legal team had advocated for probation and time served, and with these credits factored in, Velasquez is now expected to spend less than two years behind bars.
However, the prosecution, representing Harry Goularte — the man accused of molesting Cain Velasquez’s four-year-old son at the time at his mother’s daycare — had advocated for a 30-year-to-life sentence. Even so, Goularte’s mother remains dissatisfied with the ruling.
Following the verdict, Patricia Bender, the mother of Goularte, voiced her frustration over the court’s decision. Speaking to the media, she claimed that Velasquez’s widespread fame unfairly influenced both the judges and public opinion, ultimately working in his favor.
“The sentence is extremely disappointing,” Bender said. “It’s based on an alleged allegation that has no basis. It is unfounded. We are looking for the opportunity in Harry’s case to prove that, as we have an ample amount of evidence to do so. It is sad that the court system and the public can be influenced by simply somebody stating something with no facts.”
Velasquez’s legal troubles erupted in 2022 when he was arrested following a high-speed pursuit of a vehicle carrying Goularte. The MMA veteran’s actions stemmed from allegations that Goularte, who faces separate child molestation charges, had abused his son. Despite the prosecution’s objections, the individual was controversially granted bond.
Cain Velasquez fired multiple rounds from a .40-caliber handgun, but the bullets missed their intended target and instead struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm, causing non-life-threatening injuries.
The pursuit ended when Velasquez was apprehended without resistance by local authorities. He was subsequently charged with felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses, resulting in an eight-month incarceration. It wasn’t until November 2022 that he was finally granted bail on a $1 million bond.
