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Father convicted of incest expected to be released
A Southern California father convicted of incest is expected to be released on Monday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
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VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – A Southern California father convicted of incest involving his teenage daughter, Makayla Settles, is expected to be released from jail Monday after serving less than six months, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website.
What we know:
In May, 41-year-old Stephen Chavez pleaded guilty to incest and providing alcohol to his 18-year-old daughter.
Chavez also admitted to special allegations that he took advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Chavez was sentenced to one year in county jail and three years of probation, despite prosecutors requesting three years in state prison.
Ventura County father gets 1 year in jail for incest after daughter’s suicide
Stephen Vincent Chavez was sentenced to a year in county jail for felony incest involving his 18-year-old biological daughter, Makayla Settles, who tragically died by suicide five months after the assault.
The backstory:
In July 2025, Settles moved from North Carolina to Moorpark with her biological father, Chavez, to attend college.
After a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez bought additional alcohol for them to consume at home, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with her.
The incident happened two days after she moved to the West Coast, authorities said.
Settles was hospitalized following the assault, and a rape kit confirmed the presence of Chavez's DNA.
Months later, in December 2025, Settles died by suicide.
Prior to the guilty pleas, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko directed a team of 10 internal prosecutors, alongside external legal experts, to conduct an exhaustive review to see if harsher charges, such as rape, could legally be filed.
All experts concluded that incest was the only felony charge supported by the admissible evidence.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Ventura County dad faces 3 years after pleading guilty to incest involving daughter
- ‘Justice for Makayla Settles’: Family outraged as dad faces 3-year sentence after daughter's suicide
- 'Justice for Makayla Settles': California dad charged with incest, but not rape, after daughter's suicide
- California dad charged with incest after allegedly assaulting daughter; DA may drop case
What they're saying:
Settles' mother, Carolina Sandoval, previously voiced heartbreak over the maximum possible penalties.
"Based on the charges, the most that he can get is three years [in prison] and 20 years as a registered sex offender," Sandoval said. "It just feels like, you know, my daughter's life is only worth three years."
She added, "He got her drunk... she was intoxicated. She was taken advantage of physically and mentally. So if that's not rape, I really don't know what is."
Sandoval remembered her daughter as a "sweet girl" and a "little entrepreneur" who dreamed of becoming an architect.
The Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office inmate records, Ventura County District Attorney's Office statements, prior statements from Carolina Sandoval, and previous FOX 11 reports.