Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, pleaded guilty in May to felony incest and misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor, officials said.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office stated that Chavez’s 18-year-old biological daughter, Makayla, was staying with him at his residence in Moorpark, California, last July. Moorpark is about an hour northwest of Los Angeles.
According to the office, after a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez purchased additional alcohol for himself and his daughter to consume at home. He then engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Makayla tragically took her own life in December 2025.
In his plea, Chavez admitted he exploited a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.
Several members of Makayla’s family addressed the court during sentencing and provided emotional victim impact statements describing the lasting trauma caused by the defendant’s actions and the devastating loss of Makayla.
