California valley becomes dumping ground for serial predators as ‘Pillowcase Rapist’ release plans heighten local fury

Furious residents of a rural California valley have criticized the courts for turning their home into a dumping ground for serial predators.

A hearing took place this week to determine where the infamous ‘Pillowcase Rapist’ should be placed if he is released.

Christopher Hubbart, now 74, admitted to raping and sexually assaulting about 40 women in California in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He got his horrible nickname because he used a pillowcase to muffle the screams of some of his victims.

He will now be released to an area near where he committed the crimes: the small town of Juniper Hills in the unincorporated Antelope Valley community.

But the move has sparked anger among residents and elected officials, who warned the area is a completely inappropriate place to release such a dangerous man who has previously reoffended.

They also complained that this is not the first time a sexually violent criminal has been forced upon their community under the California Conditional Release Program.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told DailyMail.com: “People are fed up. They moved here for the quality of life and to raise their family. And now that the area is being proposed for sex offenders, that’s problematic.”

Located in the western Mojave Desert, Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County is perhaps best known for its consistent blooms of wild poppies.

It is home to approximately half a million people, with the two largest cities being Palmdale and Lancaster.

Superior Court Judge Robert Harrison held a placement hearing Tuesday at the Hollywood courthouse to determine where Hubbard would be moved after his release from prison.

The California Department of State Hospitals had previously recommended that he be placed in Juniper Hills, near Pearblossom in the southern part of the Antelope Valley.

No conclusion was drawn. But this isn’t the first time the convicted rapist has been released in the Antelope Valley area.

In 2014, Hubbard was placed in the small community of Lake Los Angeles, near Palmdale, but two years later he was taken back into custody for failing to comply with his release rules.

Now locals are fiercely opposing plans to return him to the area.

In a statement after the hearing, Barger said, “Juniper Hills and the Antelope Valley in general are home to many women and families who work hard and want to enjoy a peaceful life.

“Make no mistake: Christopher Hubbart belongs in a safe and secure facility where there is no threat of him ever harming anyone again.”

In a letter to Judge Harrison, Barger added: ‘I would also like to emphasize that the proposed site is close to 25 square mile houses – houses where single women and children live.’

When the residential placement was scheduled last month, Senator Scott Wilks wrote on Facebook: “Ten years ago he was not welcome here, and today he is not welcome. How can someone who has admitted to raping at least 40 women, whose crimes spanned decades, be allowed back into society?”

Another major cause for concern is that the home where Hubbart will be placed is more than 20 miles from the nearest sheriff’s office.

The valley also has inconsistent internet and cell phone service, with Barger adding that law enforcement in the area is already “stretched.”

Capt. Richard Cartmill of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the department believed the location was “not appropriate.” ABC7 reported.

He noted that police response time was “further complicated by the unpaved roads leading to the residence” and that there were “obvious logistical issues,” the newspaper said.

Officials also raised complaints that the valley was repeatedly chosen to harbor violent predators.

Barger wrote in a letter to the judge that Antelope Valley has gone through this process repeatedly, calling the situation “plainly unfair and unjust.”

“Residents of the Antelope Valley have been through this process three times. Mr. Hubbart was placed in the region in 2014 but was subsequently removed for violating his release conditions.

“After his removal, two other sexually violent predators were placed in the Antelope Valley and continue to live here.

“No other sexually violent predator has been released on parole anywhere else in Los Angeles County. This is downright unfair and unjust.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said in a September statement: “Continuing to release sexually violent predators into underserved communities like the Antelope Valley is both irresponsible and unjust.

“The repeated placement of these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Resident Linda Adams said KTLA5: “If there are only 20 of these sexually violent predators in the entire state and two of them are already housed in our area, and this would create a third, then yes, it is a dumping ground.”

Calvin Grassmier, who was convicted of sexually assaulting and raping a minor, was placed in Antelope Valley in 2021. He now lives near a school and a church, he said ABC-7.

Meanwhile, Lawtis Rhoden, who raped several children, was placed in Lancaster in 2022 Antelope Valley Times reported.

Barger told DailyMail.com that Antelope Valley is being targeted by the state when it comes to placing these predators for several reasons.

She said, “You have individuals buying up these homes and then approaching the companies that are contracted to find a place for these sexually violent predators and are willing to pay more than market value.

“I think they believe that if it’s nationwide, it will go unnoticed.”

Barger added: “The last time he lived here we were determined to fight it. We plan to do it again.

“We’re going to find out where he lives and we’ll be outside every night, again yelling at him with megaphones to let him know he’s not wanted here.”

Harrison said he was aware that the community is concerned about Hubbart’s return, but asserted that he “will not be alone” and will participate in a “very structured program,” according to ABC7.

Despite this, Antelope Valley residents are continuing their efforts to fight the relocation plan.

Cheryl Holbrook, a member of the Ladies of Lake LA group that formed in 2014 to keep predators like Hubbart away, said: “A person like that can’t change.

‘He should be put out in the middle of the desert, more than a hundred kilometers away from anyone, because he will rape again.

“The only thing that could stop him is complete isolation.”

Harrison has not yet set a date for making a final decision, but is considering Barger and Gascón’s statements, along with grievances shared by residents.

If Harrison decides Antelope Valley isn’t a good fit for Hubbart, the state will have to “start all over again” to find him a new place to live. According to Barger, this could take about three years.

Barger said, “I have no sympathy for this person — none, and he is not the victim.”