Cain Velasquez, the ex-UFC heavyweight champ, walked out of a California prison in Soledad on February 15, 2026, after serving his full five-year sentence—factoring in 1,283 days of pre-sentence credit and good-time credits, per the California Department of Corrections.
Quick Recap of the Case
In 2022, Velasquez, then 40, went on a high-speed chase in Morgan Hill, California, firing his registered .40-caliber handgun at a truck carrying three people. He targeted Harry Goularte, a daycare worker accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son (Goularte had just been arraigned on felony charges but released on GPS-monitored own recognizance despite prosecutors’ objections). Instead, Velasquez wounded Goularte’s 63-year-old relative in the arm and torso, nearly severing his brachial artery. Bullets flew near the Charter School of Morgan Hill during school hours, endangering kids, teachers, and parents. He pleaded no contest in 2024 to charges including assault with a firearm, attempted murder, and great bodily injury enhancements, leading to his March 2025 sentencing.
Why the Quick Release?
California’s sentencing credits let inmates earn time off for good behavior, education, or rehab—up to 20-50% reductions in some cases under Penal Code reforms. Velasquez maxed out his eligibility, serving effectively less than three years behind bars before parole supervision kicked in. Now 43, he’s under post-release oversight, likely with GPS and check-ins, though details aren’t public.
Broader Context
This underscores vigilante justice risks: DA Jeff Rosen nailed it—emotions ran hot after Goularte’s low-bail release, but Velasquez’s rampage hit an innocent and terrorized a school. Goularte’s molestation case drags on; his next court date is April 15, 2026, for trial scheduling. Velasquez’s MMA legacy (titles, wars with Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos) takes a hit, but fans split on sympathy given the child abuse trigger.
Got thoughts on vigilante cases like this, or want updates on similar legal quirks in California or South Carolina?
