Dad Who Beat Daughter's Peeping Tom Gets In More Trouble Than the Peeping Tom

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Lisa Fogarty 8 hours ago

Hero or thug? A father in Albuquerque, N.M. took the law into his own hands by beating up a man he caught  peeping into his teenage daughter's window. After spotting the guy naked and moaning at his child, Emilio Chavez III seemingly lost it. He claims he was so enraged that he doesn't even remember enlisting the help of his brother and a family friend in the assault on 29-year-old Dylan Maho, who had be hospitalized. 

Some are calling Chavez a vigilante; others think he's a criminal. 

It's pretty clear to see how the law views him: Chavez faces more jail time than the predator who victimized his daughter. 

He may get three years in jail for aggravated battery -- at least one year more than the peeper will get for voyeurism.

There are two very valid sides to this debate. On the one hand, as a parent, it is dead easy to put yourself in this dad's shoes and say you would do the same exact thing if you caught a man peeping in on your little girl. How was Chavez to know whether Maho would go even further than spying on the teen? At that moment he caught him, how wasn't he filled with fear that the perv was about to crawl through the window and rape his daughter?

And remember: Maho stood just a few feet away from his daughter's window. And he was naked! You don't just leave your home in the middle of the night for a naked stroll. I am speculating here, but it seems like Maho knew exactly what he was about to do. I'm not saying he would have taken it further than peeping, but I wouldn't blame Chavez if that's where his mind immediately went. 

On the other hand, as much as it pains me to admit this, Chavez had other options. He could have called the police. He could have whipped out his cell phone and taped the perv in order to ensure he had solid evidence that would help put this creep away. What if Maho had been carrying a weapon? Chavez's actions could have put his family in even more danger.

Can I be honest though? I don't think I would have patiently waited for the cops to arrive, either. I think my first impulse would have been to do whatever it took to get this guy the hell away from my daughter's window. It's unfortunate that the act of protecting his family may cost Chavez three years behind bars.

What would you have done if you were in Chavez's shoes? And do you think the charges against him are fair? 

Image Via Robert Couse-Baker/Flickr 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lisa Fogarty

is a former old-timey print journalist who lives in Brooklyn with her husband and toddler girl. She still carries a notebook everywhere and is always on the lookout for tasty vegan food and blouses with collars that will finally put the Peter Pan out on its (adorable) tush.

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