Andrew Luster, an heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune — and a convicted serial rapist — has been denied parole after prosecutors successfully argued that even after nearly two decades spent in lockup, he still posed a risk to the public.
Luster, now 59, — who was found guilty of 86 criminal charges in 2003, including rape of an unconscious person, sodomy, poisoning and drug possession — was determined by a panel on Wednesday to be unfit for early release.
Luster’s sordid case captivated the nation with tales of drug-fueled rape and torture, a brazen escape to Mexico and his eventual capture by reality TV star Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman.
During his high-profile trial, prosecutors alleged that Luster took three women to his beachfront Mussel Shoals home between 1996 and 2000 and raped them after spiking their drinks with gamma hydroxybutyrate – GHB, or liquid “ecstasy.”
The millionaire great-grandson of legendary beauty baron Max Factor Sr. was arrested in 2000 after a 21-year-old college student told police he had drugged and raped her.
During a search of his residence, police said they found videotapes of Luster sexually assaulting sleeping or unconscious women.
Two women depicted in the sex tapes testified at trial that they willingly took GHB-laced drinks from Luster but never consented to sex with him.
The pleasure-loving scion maintained that the sex was consensual, and that his parents were only pretending to be asleep to help him film porno movies.
During a recess in the trial, Luster skipped $1 million bail and fled to Mexico.
After five months on the lam, Chapman, the celebrity bounty hunter, and his associates tracked down Luster in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and got into a scuffle.
After overpowering the fugitive heir, the bounty hunters were driving back to California with their prey in tow when they were stopped by local police and arrested.
Luster initially gave the Mexican cops a fake name, but later revealed his true identity.
Luster was ultimately extradited back to the US and sentenced to 124 years in prison, but that sentence was slashed to 50 years in 2013.
Under Prop 57, passed by California voters in 2016, some of the crimes Luster was convicted of are now classified as “non-violent, laying the groundwork for an early release.
“As a serial rapist who continues to deny responsibility for his crimes, Andrew Luster continues to present a threat to public safety,” said Senior Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Anthony Wold, who prosecuted Luster and took part in California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Board’s hearing.
“We strongly believe he should serve his full sentence,” Wold added. “His crimes were particularly dangerous, and he has yet to display any regret or remorse for his actions. He remains a dangerous sex predator.”
The panel apparently agreed with the prosecutors’ arguments and denied Luster’s parole request.
Ventura County DA Erik Nasarenko noted in a statement that even with Wednesday’s denial, Luster will be released from prison in about four years.
With Post wires
