Osuđeni serijski silovatelj prvobitno osuđen na 124 godine, oslobođen nakon 20, izazivajući bijes

Andrew Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics magnate Max Factor, has been released from California state prison after serving approximately two decades. The former inmate had originally received a 124 year sentence for drugging and raping three women. His early release has triggered sharp condemnation from local officials in Glendora, California, where reports indicate he now resides. Luster was convicted in 2003 of 86 felony counts related to the sexual assault of unconscious victims at his beachfront property in Ventura County. Prosecutors stated that he administered gamma hydroxybutyrate, known as GHB, to incapacitate the women before attacking them. Following his arrest, Luster fled to Mexico in January 2003 while out on one million dollars in bail. He was eventually captured in Puerto Vallara by bounty hunter Duane Chapman and returned to the United States to face judgment. Although initially sentenced to 124 years, a California judge vacated that ruling in March 2013. Judge Kathryne Ann Stoltz determined that the trial court had failed to provide adequate reasoning for imposing consecutive terms. While she upheld the underlying convictions, she ordered a new sentencing hearing. In April 2013, Stoltz resentenced Luster to 50 years in prison. Prosecutors objected to the reduction, characterizing the offenses as cruel, vicious, and callous. Luster’s path to freedom involved multiple parole hearings. According to reporting, he was denied parole in 2022 but granted it in 2024. Ventura County prosecutors successfully challenged that decision, leading to another denial in April 2025. Despite these setbacks, he was ultimately released earlier this month. Local records suggest he was expected to remain incarcerated until October 2026, when his calculated term would have expired under previous calculations. David Fredendall, the mayor of Glendora, issued a statement expressing profound disappointment and outrage over the situation. He described the presence of a convicted serial rapist in the community as unacceptable. Fredendall noted that Luster was convicted of 86 felony counts involving the drugging and assault of unconscious women. The mayor argued that the outcome undermines the promises made to voters regarding Proposition 57, a 2016 ballot measure that expanded parole consideration for certain offenders. The release has reignited debate over California’s criminal justice policies. Critics point to the disparity between the original 124 year sentence and the time actually served. Luster’s family history adds a layer of public interest to the case, given his lineage to the founder of the Max Factor cosmetics empire. Legal challenges to his parole decisions continued through 2025, yet the final administrative action resulted in his return to society. Local leaders continue to monitor the situation, citing public safety concerns associated with his recent release.