Disgraced Max Factor heir Andrew Luster has been permanently barred from the California county where he committed multiple rapes in the late 1990s, this publication has exclusively learned.
Luster, now 62, was released from prison last week and is living in a modest $700,000 bungalow in Glendora, a small city 25 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
Although Luster is now out of prison, his release comes with strict conditions, including three years of parole, a lifetime ban from Ventura County and a GPS ankle monitor that must be worn around the clock.
He is also prohibited from going within 35 miles of the homes of the women he raped. As a result, he now lives in eastern Los Angeles County, far from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where some of the women still reside.
Luster was convicted in absentia on 86 rape counts in January 2003 after fleeing to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He had been accused of drugging and raping three women and recording the assaults for his own gratification.
He was famously brought back to California by Duane ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ Chapman in June of that year and received a 124-year sentence.
In April 2013, however, Ventura County judge Kathryne Stoltz reduced the sentence to 50 years because of a legal technicality. She ruled that the original judge had failed to provide specific reasons for imposing consecutive prison terms.
A further change came in 2016 with Proposition 57, a measure championed by then-Governor Jerry Brown and then-Attorney General Kamala Harris. The rule change required non-violent offenders to serve half of their prison sentences.
Andrew Luster’s new mugshot, showing a lined face and thick gray hair, now appears on California’s sex offenders’ registry following his release from prison last week
Luster, now 62, is living in a modest $700,000 bungalow in Glendora, 25 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, after his early release from prison
Despite his conviction as a serial rapist, Luster was classified as a non-violent offender because his victims were unconscious during the attacks. That classification led to his release last week after he had served 20 years.
Sources said Glendora officials were unaware that Luster would be released into their community. They reportedly learned of his post-prison plans only after he appeared at the local Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office to have his mugshot taken.
The mugshot, showing Luster with a lined face and gray hair, is now displayed on California’s sex offenders’ registry alongside his home address.
The registry listing did little to ease anger in the community where he now lives.
Residents on the Glendora street where Luster has moved said they were furious. One mother, who has a young child, said she made repeated calls to the local mayor and California Governor Gavin Newsom in an effort to have him removed.
Glendora’s nonpartisan mayor, David Fredendall, issued an angry statement after learning that Luster was living in the city and said he was “outraged.”
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He said: “The City of Glendora is beyond disappointed. We are outraged. 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, pictured during his 2003 arrest, was released from prison last week after being convicted of drugging and raping three women at his Ventura County beachfront home
Luster is the great-grandson of Max Factor Sr., founder of the Max Factor cosmetics empire
He went on to slam Proposition 57 – which led to Luster’s release – saying the city of Glendora had consistently opposed the measure and pointed out that supporters had insisted at the time that it wouldn’t lead to the sex beast’s exit from prison.
Luster was convicted in absentia on 86 counts of rape in January 2003 after fleeing to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, having been charged with drugging and raping three women
Fredendall added: ‘The people of Glendora should not have to worry about their safety because of a decision by the State that allows an individual with a history of rape and violence to now live in close proximity to schools, parks, playgrounds, churches, and community centers.
‘They deserve better than explanations that hide behind the mechanics of a deeply flawed system.
‘We are demanding answers from Sacramento. We expect transparency regarding the circumstances of this release, the conditions imposed, and the measures being taken to protect Glendora residents and surrounding communities.
‘The victims deserve better. The people of Glendora deserve better. California must do better.’
Also furious at the decision to release Luster was California State Assembly member Blanca Rubio, a Democrat whose district includes Glendora.
Luster, who fled to Mexico after his rampage, was famously dragged back to California by Duane ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ Chapman (above) and handed a 124-year sentence
Rubio, with Republican counterpart Marie Alvarado-Gil, co-sponsored a bill called SB 268 that was deliberately designed to halt the early release of criminals like Luster by adding the rape of an unconscious person to California’s list of violent crimes – albeit too late to halt the now bankrupt Max Factor heir’s release.
In a statement released on hearing of Luster being sprung, she described it as ‘disgusting’ and vowed to protect Glendora residents.
She said: ‘The recent news of the parole granted to convicted rapist, Andrew Luster is disgusting and unacceptable.
‘I am working closely with local officials and law enforcement to stay informed about the circumstances of Luster’s release, the conditions of his parole, and the measures being taken to protect the residents of Glendora and surrounding communities. ‘
