California Man Pleads Guilty to Incest and Supplying Alcohol to Daughter

Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, pleaded guilty Monday in Ventura County Superior Court to one felony count of incest and one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. Prosecutors said the offenses occurred in July 2025 while his 18-year-old biological daughter, Makayla Rene Settles, was living with him in Moorpark after moving from North Carolina.

Chavez moved up his scheduled court appearance to enter the plea. Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty said he acknowledged abusing a position of trust and targeting a particularly vulnerable victim. Prosecutors stated the crimes took place after Chavez purchased additional alcohol for himself and his daughter following a family gathering.

” The District Attorney’s Office said it conducted multiple interviews, forensic testing, medical evaluations, and an extensive review of electronic evidence before concluding the charges were appropriate.

Chavez was taken into custody immediately after the plea. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on June 23 in Ventura County Superior Court, where prosecutors said he is expected to receive a three-year state prison sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next 20 years.

Authorities said Makayla died by suicide in December 2025, several months after the July incidents. The District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors examined whether additional charges, including rape, could be pursued before determining the current charges were supported by the evidence.