Man gets life for molesting 12-year-old stepdaughter

A Windsor man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Gary Medvigy sentenced Jesus Sanchez Chaves, 43, Thursday to 14 years plus 55 years to life, Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

Chaves faced a maximum term of 20 years plus 55 years to life, Ravitch said:

“The sentence reflects the gravity of the offense. This defendant groomed and violated a young child.”

A jury convicted Chaves in November of five counts of sexual molestation, including two counts of forcible rape, Ravitch said. The jury also found Chavez guilty of molesting the girl when she was under 10 years old.

The girl’s mother witnessed Chaves molesting her daughter on Aug. 11, 2013, and called 911, Ravitch said. The girl later disclosed Chaves sexually assaulted her in a pool house in the backyard of their Windsor home. Chaves’ DNA was found on the girl’s body.

At the trial, the girl testified about several acts of molestation by Chaves including one that happened before Aug. 11, 2013, when she was under 10 years old, Ravitch said. That count alone carried a sentence of 25-years-to-life, Ravitch said.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Barbara Nanney.