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Photos courtesy of LASD

RV Chase Suspect Found Guilty Of Kidnapping, Child Abuse

A RV chase suspect was found guilty of kidnapping his two young children and fleeing from law enforcement, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Jurors deliberated for two hours before finding Stephen Merle Houk, 48, guilty of two counts each of kidnapping, child abuse, injuring a spouse and child detention, and one count each of assault with a firearm, criminal threats, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Prior to the jury trial, Houk pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of failing to register as a sex offender.

See Related: Jury Trial Set For Sex Offender That Led Law Enforcement On 100-Mile RV Pursuit

Deputy District Attorney Tal Kahana of the Child Abduction Section prosecuted the case.

On May 1, 2018, Houk and the mother of his children got into a fight in the family’s RV parked in Malibu. The defendant pointed a loaded firearm at her and threatened to kill her, according to officials.

The two children, one 10 months old and the second 3 years old, were awakened by the attack on their mother, the prosecutor said.

Houk drove away and stopped at a gas station before driving to a Santa Clarita coffee house, where he forced her to panhandle. The victim eventually asked for help from a passerby, who called law enforcement. Houk fled when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded and a pursuit ensued.

The defendant eventually fled from the RV after stopping near Bakersfield, the prosecutor said. He was later found in Barstow and arrested.

Sentencing is scheduled on Sept. 4 in Department 115 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Houk faces the possibility of more than 78 years in state prison.


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RV Chase Suspect Found Guilty Of Kidnapping, Child Abuse

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.