Harry Goularte, the accused molester involved in the ongoing Cain Velasquez case, has pled not guilty.
Goularte faces a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor child believed to be Velasquez’s four-year-old son. Goularte was said to have taken Velasquez’s child to the bathroom and touched his genitals with this happening “100 times” according to the latter.
And during a virtual plea hearing on Monday, Goularte’s attorney Stephen DeFilippis announced his client would be taking a not guilty plea (via MMA Junkie).
Goularte is now set for a preliminary trial hearing on September 20 at the Santa Clara Hall of Justice in San Jose. He faces a charge carrying an eight-year sentence in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Additionally, Judge Le Jacqueline Duong approved a request by the district attorney’s office ensuring Goularte be present for the hearing after he appeared virtually for his first two plea hearings due to safety concerns.
Goularte has also been issued a criminal protective order citing that he must be at least 300 yards away from the alleged victim at all times.
Cain Velasquez Due For His Own Plea Hearing
Two days after Goularte’s initial arrest for his charge, he was granted a $50,000 bail. That led to Velasquez pursuing him by car with a gun only to fire at Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender.
Velasquez has since been imprisoned and denied bail twice.
The former UFC heavyweight champion, however, is set for a plea hearing Friday at the Santa Clara Hall of Justice with the hearing being granted two continuances.