A California man convicted of drugging and raping three women, and originally sentenced to 124 years in prison, has been released after serving roughly 20 years. The release has drawn fierce criticism from local officials, who warn that it could pose a public safety risk.
Andrew Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics pioneer Max Factor, left state prison earlier this month and is reportedly living in Glendora, California, KTLA reported.
Glendora Mayor David Fredendall condemned the release in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, saying it was unacceptable that a convicted serial rapist was reportedly residing in the community.
“The City of Glendora is beyond disappointed. We are outraged,” Fredendall said. “Andrew Luster was convicted of 86 felony counts stemming from the drugging and sexual assault of unconscious women. He was originally sentenced to 124 years in prison. He has now been released from State prison and is reportedly residing in our community. This is unacceptable.”
Luster was convicted in 2003 on 86 felony counts related to the drugging and sexual assault of three women at his beachfront home in Ventura County.
Prosecutors said Luster used GHB to knock the women unconscious before sexually assaulting them.
While free on $1 million bail during his trial, Luster fled to Mexico in January 2003. He was convicted in absentia and later apprehended in Puerto Vallarta by celebrity bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman.
The Max Factor heir was initially sentenced to 124 years in prison. However, a California judge set aside the sentence in March 2013 after determining that the trial court had not adequately explained its decision to impose consecutive sentences, according to an earlier report by Fox News Digital.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kathryne Ann Stoltz declined to overturn Luster’s convictions but ordered a new sentencing hearing.
Stoltz resentenced Luster to 50 years in prison in April 2013, The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors opposed the shorter sentence, characterizing Luster’s crimes as “cruel, vicious and callous.”
His release has reignited debate over California’s criminal justice system, including Proposition 57, the voter-approved 2016 measure that expanded parole consideration for certain offenders.
KTLA reported that Luster was denied parole in 2022 but granted parole in 2024. Ventura County prosecutors successfully challenged that decision, and parole was denied again in April 2025.
Luster was subsequently expected to remain behind bars until October 2026, when his calculated prison term was set to expire, the outlet reported.
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Fredendall said the case conflicts with assurances California voters received when Proposition 57 was approved.
“When California voters approved Proposition 57 in 2016, they were assured by Governor Jerry Brown and his administration that dangerous offenders would remain behind bars,” Fredendall said.
“The State may argue that this was not technically an early release. It can point to sentencing credits, legal calculations, and administrative requirements,” the mayor continued. “However, those technical explanations do not address the larger concern: how an individual originally sentenced to 124 years in prison for heinous crimes is able to walk out of a secured facility after only 20 years.”
California Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio also spoke out against the release in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
“I am outraged and deeply disturbed by the decision to grant parole to convicted serial rapist Andrew Luster,” Rubio said. “It is incomprehensible that an individual originally sentenced to 124 years in prison for such horrific crimes could be granted parole after serving approximately 20 years.”
Rubio, who represents California’s 48th Assembly District, said Luster’s release raises concerns about whether the state’s parole system sufficiently protects victims and local communities.
“Our justice system is supposed to protect the innocent, hold violent criminals accountable, and provide victims with a sense of justice,” she said. “Decisions like this undermine public confidence in that system and send a devastating message to survivors of sexual assault.”
Rubio said she is working with local officials and law enforcement to learn more about the circumstances surrounding Luster’s release, including the conditions of his supervision.
Fredendall also expressed concern about Luster reportedly living near schools, parks, playgrounds and other community spaces.
“Our Police Department will work with State parole authorities to ensure every applicable law and condition of supervision is followed,” Fredendall said. “We will do everything within our lawful authority to protect our residents. But local governments should not be forced to shoulder the public-safety consequences of decisions made in Sacramento without adequate transparency and accountability.”
The mayor said the city is demanding additional information from state officials about the release and measures being taken to protect residents.
“The victims deserve better. The people of Glendora deserve better. California must do better,” Fredendall said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seeking confirmation of Luster’s release date, clarification of the sentencing calculations that led to his release and details about his parole supervision.
