A Southern California father who admitted to sexually abusing his biological daughter after supplying her with alcohol is expected to be released from jail on Monday, November 9, having served about five months of a one-year sentence. Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, pleaded guilty in May to one felony count of incest and one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Chavez was originally sentenced in June by Judge Dusty Kawai of Ventura County Superior Court to one year in Ventura County Jail and three years of probation. His guilty plea came after he moved up a court appearance to acknowledge the abuse of his 18-year-old biological daughter, Makayla Settles. Prosecutors noted that Chavez abused a position of trust and targeted a particularly vulnerable victim.
The assault occurred in July 2025 while Settles was staying with Chavez in Moorpark, California. According to Ventura County District Attorney officials, Chavez purchased alcohol for himself and his daughter during a family gathering at his home and then engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty stated that Chavez violated the trust his daughter placed in him after she relocated from North Carolina.
Makayla Settles died by suicide on December 28, 2025, five months after the assault. The case drew significant public outrage online when it was initially reported that Chavez might receive only a three-year prison sentence.
Following his guilty plea, Chavez was taken into custody and formally sentenced on June 23. He was also required to register as a sex offender for the next 20 years. The Ventura County DA’s Office stated that prosecutors conducted an extensive review of the case, including interviews, forensic testing, and electronic evidence, and determined that the charges were appropriate based on the law and evidence.
The news of Chavez's impending release has been met with anger and condemnation on social media, with users calling the situation "extremely infuriating" and "disgusting."