Senator Pérez issues statement on release of convicted serial rapist

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued the following statement on the release of convicted serial rapist Andrew Luster into the San Gabriel Valley:

"I’m shocked to learn Andrew Luster, a convicted violent, serial rapist, has been released into Glendora on parole. Luster was convicted of drugging and raping three unconscious women and received early parole as a result of a loophole in California law that allowed rape of an unconscious person to be considered non-violent. I want to be clear: rape of any person, conscious or unconscious, is violent. The California Senate unanimously closed this loophole in 2024, just 23 days after Luster received early parole. 

“I’m also deeply troubled to learn from Glendora city officials and their police department that they received inadequate advanced notification, nor were they provided with critical information about the release of such a dangerous individual, despite requests from local law enforcement. This disregard for the concerns of local leaders and lack of coordination is unacceptable. 

“As a result, my office has requested a meeting with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to understand the circumstances that led to this decision, determine whether all legal requirement for the release were met, and assess whether appropriate coordination with the local officials occurred to ensure public safety. It is not acceptable to expose our communities to this type of public safety risk without far greater local input, review and coordination. Our local police should not be blindsided by a decision of this magnitude, as appears to have occurred in this case.”

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.