Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has joined other elected officials and members of the public in opposing the proposed release of the “Pillowcase Rapist” in the Antelope Valley.
Christopher Hubbart was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 in both L.A. and Santa Clara counties for a series of rapes and other sex crimes targeting dozens of women.
After decades of incarceration, Hubbart was released from a mental hospital in 2014 and placed in a home just east of Palmdale despite fierce opposition from local residents.
“I just don’t think the state should use the Antelope Valley as a dumping ground,” community activist Albert Constante told KTLA in 2014.
Two years after he was released, Hubbart, who has been designated by the state as a sexually violent predator, was taken back into custody after violating the terms of his conditional release, including failing five lie detector tests, the DA’s office said at the time.
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Protesters gathered May 23, 2014, in front of the home where serial rapist Christopher Hubbart was set to be released. (Credit: KTLA) -
A home in Lake Los Angeles that was originally proposed for Hubbart’s release was the target of protests in fall 2013, and the landlord removed it from consideration. (Credit: KTLA) -
Christopher Hubbart was released to a home near Lake Los Angeles on July 9, 2014. (Credit: Ed Frommer)
In March 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court granted the conditional release resulting in Hubbart coming back to L.A. County; the California Department of State Hospitals recommended he be placed in the Antelope Valley, the DA’s office said earlier this month.
In a statement, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón slammed the Santa Clara courts for proposing to release Hubbart, now 73, in Southern California.
“Continuing to release sexually violent predators into underserved communities like the Antelope Valley is both irresponsible and unjust,” Gascón said. “Repeatedly placing these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents. Our deputy district attorneys will persist in opposing Hubbart’s placement in the Antelope Valley.”
On Monday, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger released a letter saying the decision to place a man “who has admitted to raping over 40 women and is suspected of raping dozens more” is “unequivocally wrong.”
She strongly opposes his placement in the Antelope Valley community of Juniper Hills for “several reasons.”
“The rural nature of this foothill community and its challenging terrain have impeded the development and availability of a robust communications infrastructure…cellular phone signals and service, landline services and internet connections are unreliable and inconsistent,” Barger’s letter read in part. “Should any elements of his conditional release require the use of these types of technologies to supervise or monitor Mr. Hubbart, failure is possible…and imminent.”
“Also, should an emergency occur, law enforcement emergency response times are long…only two Sheriff’s deputies are assigned to the region where the proposed placement site is located,” she continued. “They alone are responsible for patrolling the southeast portion of the Antelope Valley, which spans hundreds of square miles.”
Barger also noted that the community where Hubbart could be placed is still working to recover from the 2020 Bobcat Fire, and to her, the idea of wildfire survivors taking on the “added mental burden” of having a violent convicted rapist living in their community is “simply unfair and unjust.”
“Christopher Hubbart belongs in a locked facility where there is no chance of him ever harming another human being,” Barger’s letter concluded.
Tuesday is the last day members of the public can submit their comments about the proposed placement site to the L.A. County District Attorney via email or mail.
A placement hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Courthouse to consider the proposed address of 28800 Cruthers Creek Road in Pearblossom.
Due to limited courtroom capacity, only five members of the public can attend in person, officials said, adding that they will be chosen by lottery.
Information surrounding the California Department of State Hospitals’ conditional release program can be found here.