Serial Rapist Andrew Luster Released After Serving 20 Years of 124-Year Sentence, Igniting Outrage

Andrew Luster, who was convicted of drugging and raping three women and originally sentenced to 124 years in prison, has been released after serving approximately 20 years, sparking outrage from local officials concerned about public safety.

Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, was released from state prison earlier this month and is reportedly residing in Glendora, California, according to KTLA. Glendora Mayor David Fredendall condemned the release, calling it unacceptable that a convicted serial rapist is reportedly living in the community.

"The City of Glendora is beyond disappointed. We are outraged," Fredendall stated. "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 of 86 felony counts related to the drugging and sexual assault of three women at his beachfront home in Ventura County. Prosecutors stated he used GHB to render the women unconscious before assaulting them. Luster fled to Mexico in January 2003 while on $1 million bail during his trial. He was convicted in his absence and later captured in Puerto Vallarta by bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman.

A California judge set aside the original 124-year sentence in March 2013, citing a failure by the trial court to adequately explain its reasons for imposing consecutive sentences. While the judge rejected Luster's attempt to overturn his convictions, he granted a new sentencing hearing. In April 2013, Luster was resentenced to 50 years in prison, a move that prosecutors opposed, describing his crimes as "cruel, vicious and callous."

His release has reignited criticism of California's criminal justice system, particularly Proposition 57, a 2016 measure that expanded parole consideration for certain offenders. Luster was denied parole in 2022 but was granted parole in 2024. Ventura County prosecutors challenged that decision, and Luster was denied parole again in April 2025. He was subsequently expected to remain incarcerated until October 2026, when his calculated prison term was set to end.

Fredendall argued that Luster's release undermines promises made to California voters regarding Proposition 57. "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. 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 criticized the release. "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 added that the decision raises questions about the state's parole system and its protection of victims and communities.

Fredendall also expressed concern about Luster reportedly living near schools, parks, and playgrounds. "Our Police Department will work with State parole authorities to ensure every applicable law and condition of supervision is followed," he 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 stated that the city is seeking additional information from state officials regarding the release and measures to protect residents.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for confirmation of Luster's release date, clarification on sentencing calculations, and details about his parole supervision.