Former UFC champion and pro wrestling star, Cain Velasquez, has been sentenced to 5 years in jail for his involvement in a vigilante shooting spree back in 2022. The incident, which saw Velasquez firing a handgun at a truck carrying a man he believed had molested his child, resulted in a bullet hitting an innocent driver, opening his brachial artery.
Velasquez, who had pleaded no contest to the charges of attempted murder, was potentially facing 25 years to life behind bars. However, during the sentencing, Judge Bocanegra deemed Velasquez not to be a continued danger to the public, resulting in a reduced sentence of 5 years, with credit for time already served.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, Velasquez is expected to be released after serving around 1.5 years in prison. His defense attorney, Renee Hessling, praised Velasquez for taking responsibility for his actions and showing courage throughout the ordeal.
The courtroom was filled with supporters of the MMA athlete on the day of sentencing, with many acknowledging the complexities of the situation and recognizing the man behind the headlines. Velasquez himself admitted to the dangers of his actions and expressed regret for the harm caused to innocent individuals in the pursuit of justice for his child.