Jessica Miller SchreifelsFormer Real Salt Lake forward Ricardo Velazco was sentenced Thursday to spend 45 days in jail, followed by 24 months probation.
Velazco pleaded guilty in November to misdemeanor sexual battery, a charge that was amended from a 3rd degree felony. In court on Thursday, the man expressed remorse, saying he didn’t know the girl’s age when he had sex with her.
“It was never my intention to hurt anyone,” he said. “I never saw myself as a person who would be standing here talking to a judge.”
After 3rd District Judge Heather Brereton sentenced Velazco, she ordered that he begin serving his jail time immediately.
Velazco, an RSL Academy product, signed with Salvadorian club A.D. Isidro Metapán in late December, after RSL declined his contract option for the 2018 season. He made nine appearances for RSL last year before an ankle surgery ended his season in July.
Last month, Velazco suffered a right ankle fracture in practice, so he left the courtroom on Thursday using crutches, as bailiffs led him into a holding cell.
