California Man Convicted of Rape Released After 20 Years

A man from California, Andrew Luster, who was convicted of drugging and raping three women, has been released from prison after serving about 20 years of a 124-year sentence. His release has led to considerable backlash from local officials who are voicing concerns about public safety.

Luster, who is the great-grandson of Max Factor, a prominent figure in cosmetics, was released earlier this month and, according to local reports, is residing in Glendora, California.

The mayor of Glendora, David Fredendall, expressed his disapproval, stating that it’s unacceptable for a convicted serial rapist to be living in the community. He emphasized his outrage in a statement, pointing out that Luster’s conviction included 86 felony counts related to the drugging and sexual assault of unconscious women.

“The City of Glendora is beyond disappointed. We are outraged,” Fredendall remarked, reiterating the severity of Luster’s crimes and the length of his original sentence.

Luster’s convictions date back to 2003 when he was found guilty of multiple felonies stemming from incidents at his home in Ventura County, where he used a drug called GHB to incapacitate his victims before assaulting them. Notably, he fled to Mexico during his trial but was later apprehended by a bounty hunter and returned to face justice.

In 2013, a judge revised Luster’s lengthy sentence, finding that the original trial court did not sufficiently justify its decision to impose consecutive sentences. He was resentenced to 50 years in prison, a decision met with disappointment from prosecutors who framed his actions as particularly vicious.

His release has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of California’s justice system, especially following the passage of Proposition 57 in 2016, which aimed to increase parole eligibility for certain offenders. Critics argue that this situation reflects poorly on the promises made to voters regarding safety and accountability for serious crimes.

Fredendall, along with state officials including Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio, raised additional concerns about Luster’s proximity to schools and playgrounds, questioning whether the state’s parole system adequately safeguards communities. Rubio expressed her alarm, finding it difficult to understand how someone could receive parole after such a substantial sentence for horrific acts.

Both Fredendall and Rubio are looking for more information on Luster’s release and the conditions surrounding his supervision. They want reassurance that local safety measures are in place, especially given the nature of his crimes.

As these conversations unfold, it’s clear that many individuals in the community feel that the justice system needs to be re-evaluated to prevent similar incidents in the future. “The victims deserve better,” Fredendall concluded, emphasizing that the public must be kept safe from individuals convicted of such serious offenses.