Early Release of Serial Rapist Andrew Luster, Who Was Sentenced to 124 Years, Leaves Public ‘Outraged’

The early release of Andrew Luster — the heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune who was convicted of multiple sexual assaults and originally sentenced to 124 years in prison — has led to public outcry.

“We are outraged,” David Fredendall, the mayor of Glendora, California, said in a press release issued Friday, October 16.

“Andrew Luster was convicted of 86 felony counts stemming from the drugging and sexual assault of unconscious women,” Fredendall continued. “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.”

According to People, Luster was arrested in 2000 after a college student accused him of raping her at his home. Investigators reportedly found tapes showing Luster, now 62, abusing two other women, and he was charged with 86 counts related to the incidents.

Two weeks into Luster’s 2002 trial, conditions of his parole were reportedly lifted so he could visit his lawyer in Los Angeles over the holidays. Per People, he then snuck over the border into Mexico to evade authorities but was apprehended in June 2003 in Puerto Vallarta by Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman.

Though Luster was initially sentenced to 124 years in prison, the Ventura County Superior Court vacated his sentence and resentenced him to 50 years, per People.

With the passage of Proposition 57 in California — which makes people who commit non-violent crimes and have no criminal records eligible for early release — Luster was able to be released early.

“The City of Glendora has opposed Proposition 57 for years because of the very dangers this case exposes,” Fredendall said in his statement. “A man convicted of repeatedly drugging and raping unconscious women was sentenced to serve 124 years in prison, has now been released after serving only 20 years in prison, under a sentencing framework that Proposition 57 helped create.”

“Glendora stands alongside the victims of these crimes,” the mayor added. “Our Police Department will work with State parole authorities to ensure every applicable law and condition of supervision is followed. We will do everything within our lawful authority to protect our residents.”

Fredendall said that the city is now “demanding answers,” adding: “The victims deserve better. The people of Glendora deserve better. California must do better.”

“This outcome does not reflect the justice these crimes demanded,” he said. “It is unacceptable, and it should never be treated as business as usual.”

Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney Anthony Wold said in a statement after a 2025 parole hearing (per People) that Luster “should serve his full sentence,” adding: “He’s earned it.”