harry goularte

Harry Goularte is a California man accused of sexually abusing the young son of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at a daycare run by his mother, and his criminal trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026, nearly four years after his initial arrest in February 2022.
Quick Scoop: Who is Harry Goularte?
- Harry Goularte is the defendant in a highâprofile child molestation case tied to former UFC star Cain Velasquezâs family.
- Prosecutors allege he committed lewd acts with a child under 14, specifically Velasquezâs thenâ4âyearâold son at a daycare operated by Goularteâs mother in Santa Clara County, California.
- He has pleaded not guilty to a single felony count involving lewd acts with a minor.
This topic involves alleged child sexual abuse, which is extremely serious and sensitive. All people mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Case timeline and legal status
- February 2022 arrest: Goularte was arrested on suspicion of molesting the child at the daycare.
- Release conditions: He was allowed out of custody under GPSâmonitoring conditions while the case moved through preâtrial stages.
- Upcoming criminal trial: After years of hearings and delays, both sides agreed to a trial start date of March 9 in Santa Clara County, set and approved by Judge Benjamin Williams.
- Civil case: Separate from the criminal prosecution, Goularte and members of his family are also defendants in a civil lawsuit alleging molestation and negligence related to the same child and daycare, with a civil trial date scheduled.
The Cain Velasquez connection
- Shortly after Goularteâs initial release in 2022, Velasquez pursued a vehicle carrying Goularte and family in a highâspeed chase, allegedly firing multiple shots and injuring Goularteâs stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm.
- Velasquez was arrested and later charged with multiple offenses including attempted murder, spending about nine months in jail before being granted bail.
- He eventually changed his plea to no contest in his own case and was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served, with expectations he would be released before Goularteâs trial and potentially testify as a key witness.
How forums and media are talking about it
Many MMA fans, podcast hosts, and forum users frame the story emotionally around Velasquez as a father, often expressing sympathy for him and anger toward Goularte, even though the criminal case against Goularte has not yet gone to verdict. Some public commentary, including from highâprofile figures like Joe Rogan, portrays Velasquezâs actions as driven by intense parental rage, while still acknowledging the legal consequences he faced. This creates a charged environment where legal due process for Goularte runs alongside strong public opinion, especially in MMA and combatâsports communities.
Key facts at a glance (HTML table)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Harry Goularte (also referenced as Harry Eugene Goularte) |
| Location of case | Santa Clara County, California, USA | [9][3][5]
| Main criminal charge | One felony count of lewd acts with a child under 14, involving Cain Velasquezâs thenâ4âyearâold son | [3][5][7][9][1]
| Plea | Not guilty | [5][7][8][1][3]
| Alleged incident setting | Daycare run by Goularteâs mother, Pattyâs Childcare | [7][5]
| Criminal trial start date | Scheduled for March 9, nearly four years after his February 2022 arrest | [9][1][3][5]
| Civil case | Separate civil trial set against Goularte, his family, and daycare staff for alleged molestation and negligence | [7]
| Cain Velasquez outcome | Noâcontest plea, fiveâyear sentence with time served after the shooting incident targeting the vehicle carrying Goularteâs family | [1][5]
Multiâviewpoint note
- From a legal perspective , Goularte is presumed innocent until proven guilty; the upcoming trial will determine whether the prosecutionâs allegations meet the burden of proof.
- From a public and forum perspective , many see Velasquezâs reaction as an emotional response of a father and direct their outrage primarily at Goularte, sometimes treating the allegations as already proven, which can clash with dueâprocess principles.
TL;DR: Harry Goularte is at the center of a major criminal and civil case involving allegations that he molested Cain Velasquezâs young son at a family daycare; he denies the charges, and his longâdelayed trial is set for March 2026, while the case continues to generate intense discussion in MMA media and online forums.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.