BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Matthew Chavez was sentenced to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the death of 21-year-old Jason Raymond Mena in January 2025, according to the Kern County court website.
Mena, of Bakersfield, was found on Jan. 20, 2025, at around 2 a.m. in the 3100 block of Pioneer Drive with stab wounds. He later died at Kern Medical.
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On March 5, 2026, Matthew accepted a plea deal after the murder charges against him were dismissed.
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Records indicate that two enhancement charges against Matthew were upheld, relating to the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon and circumstances of aggravation involving significant violence or bodily harm.
Court records show that co-defendants Larry Chavez and Michelle Ballantine had their charges dismissed in March 2026.