Glendora officials are sounding alarms after a convicted serial rapist took up residence in their Southern California city.
Andrew Luster, 61, the great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, was released from state prison earlier this month and is now reportedly living in Glendora, according to KTLA. The former Max Factor heir had served roughly two decades behind bars for drugging and sexually assaulting three women at his Ventura County beachfront home.
Luster’s case stretches back more than two decades to a 2003 trial where he was convicted in absentia on 86 felony counts. He had fled to Mexico in January 2003 while free on $1 million bail, only to be captured later that year by celebrity bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman in Puerto Vallarta. Prosecutors said he used GHB to render his victims unconscious before assaulting them.
His original 124-year sentence was thrown out in March 2013 when Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kathryne Ann Stoltz found the trial court had failed to adequately explain its reasons for imposing consecutive sentences. Stoltz rejected Luster’s bid to overturn his convictions but granted him a new sentencing hearing, and in April 2013 she resentenced him to 50 years. Prosecutors had opposed the reduction, describing his crimes as “cruel, vicious and callous.”
Glendora Mayor David Fredendall condemned the release in a statement.
“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.”
Fredendall argued that the outcome undermines promises made to California voters when Proposition 57 was approved in 2016, a measure that expanded parole consideration for certain offenders.
“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.”
KTLA reported that Luster was denied parole in 2022 before being granted parole in 2024. Ventura County prosecutors successfully challenged that decision, and Luster was denied parole again in April 2025. He had been expected to remain incarcerated until October 2026, when his calculated prison term would end.
California Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio, who represents the state’s 48th Assembly District, also criticized the release in a statement.
“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 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.
“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.”
Fredendall expressed particular concern about Luster reportedly living near schools, parks, playgrounds and other community spaces. He said the Glendora Police Department will coordinate with state parole authorities to ensure all supervision conditions are followed.
“We will do everything within our lawful authority to protect our residents,” Fredendall said. “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 protective measures.
“The victims deserve better. The people of Glendora deserve better. California must do better,” Fredendall said.