Andrew Luster released from prison sparks outrage in California

Andrew Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, has been released from prison after serving approximately 20 years of an original 124-year sentence. Luster was convicted in 2003 on 86 felony counts of poisoning, rape, sodomy, and oral copulation involving women rendered unconscious by the drug GHB.

Luster’s release has drawn sharp criticism from Glendora Mayor David Fredendall, where the 62-year-old is reportedly residing. Fredendall expressed outrage, stating that the community should not have to worry about safety due to state laws that allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to be released early through work-time and good conduct credits.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation stated that Luster was released to parole supervision on October 11 after serving his full sentence as required by law, noting he had accumulated 977 days of credit. While the crimes were severe, the Ventura County district attorney’s office previously noted that the rape of an unconscious person technically qualifies as a nonviolent offense under certain legal frameworks.