A California father who admitted to incest with his 18-year-old daughter was set to leave jail after about five months, after a judge gave him one year in county jail instead of the three years in state prison that prosecutors wanted.
Story Highlights
- Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, of Moorpark pleaded guilty in May to felony incest and to giving alcohol to his daughter, who was under the legal drinking age.
- Prosecutors asked for the maximum, three years in state prison. The judge gave him one year in county jail and three years of probation.
- County inmate records listed his release date as Monday, November 9, about five months after he was taken into custody.
- His daughter, Makayla Settles, took her own life in December 2025.
A Sentence Far Below What Prosecutors Sought
Stephen Vincent Chavez was scheduled to walk out of the Ventura County Jail on Monday, November 9, according to county inmate records. He had been in custody since he pleaded guilty on May 18. In June, Superior Court Judge Dusty Kawai sentenced him to one year in county jail and three years of felony probation. Felony probation means he will live under court supervision and rules after release, and can be sent back to jail if he breaks them.
Prosecutors had asked for three years in state prison, the most the law allowed for his crimes, and they objected to the sentence in court. The judge’s reasons for choosing county jail and probation have not been made public. Officials have also not explained how a one-year term became about five months behind bars.
What He Admitted in Court
In July 2025, Chavez’s daughter, Makayla, had moved from North Carolina to Moorpark to live with him and start college. Prosecutors say that after a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez bought more alcohol for the two of them to drink at his home. What happened next is the crime he later admitted as incest. She was taken to a hospital, where an exam found his DNA.
Chavez pleaded guilty to one felony count of incest and one misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor. A misdemeanor is a lesser crime than a felony. He also admitted that he took advantage of a position of trust as her father and that she was especially vulnerable. He must register as a sex offender for 20 years.
Why only incest? Before the plea, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko ordered a review of whether tougher charges, including rape, could be filed. Ten prosecutors and outside legal experts studied the case. They concluded that incest was the only felony charge supported by the law, the facts and the evidence that could be used in court.
A Family’s Loss
Makayla took her own life in December 2025, about five months after that night. No court has ruled on what led to her death. Her mother, Carolina Sandoval, described her as a “sweet girl” and a “little entrepreneur” who dreamed of becoming an architect. Family members gave statements about their grief at his sentencing.
Sandoval said the case left her feeling that her daughter’s life was worth only three years. “He’s 40. In 20 years this is gonna all go away for him?” she asked. Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty said Chavez “violated this trust and shattered the father-daughter relationship in an unimaginable way.” After the sentence, she said, “While we respect the court’s decision, we continue to believe a state prison sentence was warranted under the facts of this case.”
Why the Release Has Stirred Anger
For many people, the gap between three years in state prison and about five months in county jail is hard to accept. A father admitted to a crime against his own child. She trusted him, moved across the country to be with him, and did not live to see the case end. He leaves jail under probation while her family grieves.
Chavez will remain on probation for three years and on the sex offender registry for 20 years.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Sources:
da.venturacounty.gov, da.venturacounty.gov, ktla.com, nypost.com, hindustantimes.com, townhall.com