Andrew Stuart Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, was released from state prison on October 11 under parole supervision after serving approximately 20 years of a reduced 50-year sentence for convictions related to the drugging and sexual assault of three women. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) stated Luster had completed his sentence as required by law, having accumulated 977 days of pre-sentence credit and earned additional time off for work and good conduct while incarcerated.
Luster, now 62, was originally sentenced to 124 years in 2003 following his conviction on 86 felony counts, including rape, sodomy, and oral copulation of unconscious victims. Prosecutors presented video evidence showing Luster assaulting women rendered unconscious by the drug GHB. During his trial, Luster fled to Mexico after posting a $1 million bond but was captured in Puerto Vallarta by bounty hunter Duane "The Dog" Chapman and returned to the U.S. to face sentencing.
The CDCR confirmed Luster’s release was processed under California Proposition 57, a 2016 voter-approved measure allowing early parole eligibility for nonviolent offenders who earn credits through work and behavior. The department emphasized that the rape of an unconscious person is classified as a nonviolent offense under state law, which qualified Luster for consideration under these provisions.
Community Response and Official Statements
Glendora Mayor David Fredendall issued a statement expressing outrage over Luster’s release, stating the community 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."
Fredendall’s remarks reflect broader concerns raised by local officials and residents regarding public safety and the application of state parole laws. The case has drawn renewed attention amid ongoing debates over criminal justice reform in California, particularly regarding the classification of certain sexual offenses as nonviolent for sentencing purposes.
Legal and Policy Context
Luster’s sentence was reduced from 124 to 50 years in 2013 after a superior court found the original trial judge had failed to provide specific reasons for imposing consecutive sentences. His legal team had sought early release in 2024, though a judge initially denied the request before the CDCR processed his parole under state law.
The CDCR reiterated that Luster’s release was not an early release but the result of statutory eligibility under Proposition 57, which allows incarcerated individuals to reduce their sentences through earned credits. The department noted that determinate-sentenced offenders may qualify for reductions based on pre-sentence credits and in-prison behavior.
Background on the Case
Luster’s crimes occurred in the late 1990s, with victims targeted in Ventura County. The case gained national attention when he fled the U.S. while out on bail, leading to an international manhunt. His capture and subsequent conviction were widely covered in media reports, with video evidence playing a central role in securing his guilty verdict.
The release of Luster has reignited discussions about the classification of sexual offenses involving unconscious victims as nonviolent under California law, as well as the broader implications of parole policies for offenders convicted of serious crimes.