LOGAN — A 37-year-old tattoo artist from Hyrum has been ordered to serve two years in jail for sexually assaulting two women while performing tattoo work last year. Douglas Steve Chavez, who was previously convicted of a similar crime in 2022, was arrested last December and later released on bail.
According to prosecutors, the first victim contacted the Cache County Sheriff’s Office in November, reporting she had been sexually abused by Chavez while receiving a tattoo. She had received a message from Chavez after posting a bounce house for sale on social media.
Chavez reportedly offered to trade tattoo work for the bounce house and arranged to do the work in a trailer next to his home.
The woman told deputies that while Chavez was doing the tattoo, he moved her hand into his groin area. She attempted to move her arm several times, but each time he placed it back between his legs until the tattoo was completed.
As deputies were investigating the first incident, a second woman contacted them, reporting she had also been sexually assaulted by Chavez in December. She explained that Chavez had contacted her on social media about a car she was selling.
Chavez again offered to trade tattoo work for the vehicle and arranged for the woman to meet him in the camp trailer near his home.
The woman reported that during the session, Chavez pinned her arm under his arm, placing her hand between his legs. He also pulled her tank top down farther than necessary. This continued for approximately four hours until she began having a panic attack and left.
In 2021, Chavez was arrested after another woman reported that he inappropriately touched her while performing tattoo work. He was later convicted of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor, and sentenced to serve 75 days in jail followed by 24 months of probation.
According to court records, Chavez was sentenced Sept. 23 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to one count of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. A remaining charge was dismissed on the condition that he pay $2,000 in restitution to each woman and return the car to the second victim.
Judge Brian Cannell ordered Chavez to immediately report to jail to begin serving two years, with credit for 286 days already served.