A Andrew Luster, the serial rapist once sentenced to 124 years in prison for drugging and assaulting women, has been released after serving roughly 20 years, triggering widespread controversy. Residents and city officials in Glendora, Southern California, where he is reportedly residing, are expressing strong outrage.
Controversial Release and Local Outrage
According to NBC4 LA and the LA Times, 62-year-old Andrew Luster—the great-grandson of Max Factor cosmetics founder—was released from a California prison on the 11th and is currently under parole supervision. While he is known to be living in Glendora, his exact residence has not been publicly confirmed.
Glendora Mayor David Fredendall issued a statement on the 16th expressing deep frustration, stating that the community is beyond disappointed and furious. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for residents to worry about their safety with a sex offender living near schools, parks, playgrounds, and churches.
Background of the Crimes and Legal Changes
Luster was convicted in the late 1990s and early 2000s of luring women at college bars and other locations, administering the date-rape drug GHB to render them unconscious, and sexually assaulting them. Three victims came forward, and video evidence of the crimes was presented during the trial.
In 2003, he was convicted on 86 felony counts, including drug administration and rape, resulting in a 124-year prison sentence. During the trial, he posted $1.1 million bail and fled to Mexico before bounty hunters captured and extradited him back to the United States.
However, in 2013, a court reexamined the original ruling on the grounds that the sentence was excessively harsh, reducing it to 50 years. With credits for time served, pre-trial detention, and good behavior under California’s Proposition 57—which classified unconscious rape as a non-violent offense at the time—he secured his freedom after roughly 25 total years of custody.
Community Response and Safety Concerns
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) clarified that his release was not early, but rather the completion of his legally mandated time served after factoring in 977 days of pre-trial detention and sentence reductions.
Despite adherence to legal procedures, local leaders and former prosecutors argue that public safety should take precedence. Mayor Fredendall announced plans to collaborate with local police and demand accountability from state parole authorities regarding protection measures and supervision compliance.
