Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Paroled After 10 Months in Prison

Velasquez was sentenced to 5 years in prison for a 2022 shooting incident involving his son's alleged molester.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was released on parole on Sunday after serving nearly 11 months in prison. Velasquez was sentenced to 5 years in prison in February 2025 after pleading no contest to a litany of charges, including attempted murder, stemming from a 2022 incident where he pursued and shot at a car carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez's young son.

Why it matters

The case highlighted the complex legal and emotional issues surrounding allegations of child molestation and a parent's desire for vigilante justice. Velasquez's release on parole after less than a year in prison has sparked debate around sentencing guidelines and the criminal justice system's handling of such sensitive cases.

The details

In February 2025, Velasquez was sentenced to 5 years in prison with 1,283 days time served after pleading no contest. He had been out on bail and under ankle monitoring since November 2022, prior to which he'd served just under 9 months behind bars. Velasquez chased Goularte and Goularte's family while shooting a handgun, with a bullet striking Goularte's stepfather Paul Bender and causing a nonfatal injury.

  • Velasquez was arrested in February 2022 for the shooting incident.
  • He was sentenced to 5 years in prison in February 2025.
  • Velasquez was released on parole on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Cain Velasquez

A former UFC heavyweight champion who was sentenced to prison for a 2022 shooting incident involving his son's alleged molester.

Harry Goularte

A man accused of molesting Velasquez's young son, who was the target of Velasquez's shooting incident.

Paul Bender

Goularte's stepfather, who was struck by a bullet from Velasquez's gun and suffered a nonfatal injury.

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What they’re saying

“I am at peace and wish no harm to anyone, even Mr. Goularte.”

— Cain Velasquez

What’s next

Goularte is still undergoing court proceedings for a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor and is out on bail, having pleaded not guilty and awaiting trial. There are also ongoing civil lawsuits in each direction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and emotional issues surrounding allegations of child molestation and a parent's desire for vigilante justice. Velasquez's release on parole after less than a year in prison has sparked debate around sentencing guidelines and the criminal justice system's handling of such sensitive cases.