Angry residents of a rural California valley have criticized the courts for turning their home into a dumping ground for serial predators.
A hearing was held this week to determine where the infamous ‘pillowcase rapist’ should be placed when he is released.
Christopher Hubbart, now 74, admitted to raping and sexually assaulting about 40 women in California in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. He earned his gruesome nickname because he used a pillowcase to muffle the screams of some of his victims. .
He will now be released in an area close to where he committed the crimes: the small unincorporated town of Juniper Hills in the Antelope Valley community.
But the move has sparked fury among residents and elected officials who warned that the area is a completely inappropriate place to release such a dangerous man who has already reoffended.
They also complained that this is not the first time a sexually violent offender has been placed in their community under the California Probation Program.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told DailyMail.com: ‘People are fed up. They moved here in search of quality of life, to raise their family. And now that this zone is proposed for sex offenders, that’s problematic.’
Angry residents of a rural California valley have criticized the courts for turning their home into a dumping ground for serial predators.
Christopher Hubbart, now 74, admitted to raping and sexually assaulting about 40 women in California
Antelope Valley, in northern Los Angeles County, is located in the western Mojave Desert and is perhaps best known for its constant blooms of wild poppies.
It is home to around half a million people, with its two largest cities, Palmdale and Lancaster.
Superior Court Judge Robert Harrison held a placement hearing in Hollywood Court on Tuesday to determine where Hubbard would be relocated once released from prison.
The California Department of State Hospitals had previously recommended that he be admitted to Juniper Hills, near Pearblossom, in the southern part of the Antelope Valley.
No conclusion was reached. But this isn’t the first time the convicted rapist has been released in the Antelope Valley area.
In 2014, Hubbard was committed to the small community of Lake Los Angeles, near Palmdale, but was arrested again two years later for not following the rules of his release.
Now locals are fiercely rejecting plans for him to return to the area.
In a statement after the hearing, Barger said: ‘Juniper Hills and Antelope Valley in general are home to many hard-working women and families who want to enjoy a peaceful life.
“Make no mistake: Christopher Hubbart belongs in a secure, locked facility where there is no threat that he will harm anyone again.”
In a letter to Judge Harrison, Barger added: “I also want to emphasize that the proposed location is close to 25 houses per square mile, houses that house single women and children.”
Convicted rapist Hubbart may be moved to the small unincorporated town of Juniper Hills in the Antelope Valley community.
The Hollywood courthouse where Hubbart’s placement hearing was held Tuesday
When residential placement was scheduled last month, Senator Scott Wilks wrote on Facebook: ‘You weren’t welcome here ten years ago, and you aren’t welcome here today. How can someone who has admitted to raping at least 40 women, whose crimes span decades, be allowed to return to 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, and Barger added that law enforcement is already “stretched” in the area.
Capt. Richard Cartmill of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that in the department’s opinion, the location was “less than adequate.” ABC7 reported.
He noted that police response time was “further complicated by the dirt roads leading to the residence” and that there were “undeniable logistical problems,” according to the outlet.
Officials also raised complaints that the valley was repeatedly chosen to host violent predators.
Barger wrote in a letter to the judge that Antelope Valley has gone through this process repeatedly and called the situation “clearly unjust and unfair.”
‘Antelope Valley residents have gone through this process three times. Mr. Hubbart was interned in the region in 2014, only to be expelled for violating his release conditions.
‘After their removal, two other sexually violent predators were placed in Antelope Valley and still live here.
‘No other sexually violent predator is on parole anywhere else in Los Angeles County. “This is manifestly unfair and unjust.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a September statement: ‘Continuing to release sexually violent predators into underserved communities like Antelope Valley is irresponsible and unfair.
“Repeatedly placing these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents.”
Resident Cheryl Holbrook is campaigning to prevent violent predators from moving into the valley.
Resident Linda Adams said KTLA5: ‘When 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 be a third, yes, it’s a dumping ground.’
Calvin Grassmier, who was convicted of sexually assaulting and raping a minor, was committed to Antelope Valley in 2021. He now lives near a school and a church, according to ABC 7.
Meanwhile, Lawtis Rhoden, who raped several children, was committed to Lancaster in 2022, the Antelope Valley Times reported.
Barger told DailyMail.com that Antelope Valley is the state’s target when it comes to locating these predators for multiple reasons.
She said: ‘There are people who are buying these houses and then approaching the companies contracted to find accommodation for these sexually violent predators and are willing to pay more than market value.
“I think they believe that if it’s rural, it will go unnoticed.”
Barger added: ‘The last time we lived here, we were committed to fighting it. We plan to do it again.
“We’re going to find out where he lives and we’ll be out there every night, yelling at him with megaphones again to let him know they don’t want him here.”
Harrison said he was aware that the community is concerned about Hubbart’s return, but stated that he “will not be alone” and will participate in a “highly structured program,” according to ABC7.
Calvin Grassmier, convicted of sexually assaulting and raping a minor, was committed to Antelope Valley in 2021
Valley residents Diane Swick, Cindy Farrow and Mary Jeters stand outside the courthouse as Tuesday’s hearing took place.
Lawtis Rhoden, who raped several boys, will be committed to Lancaster in 2022, the Antelope Valley Times reported.
Antelope Valley residents hugged outside the Hollywood courthouse after Hubbart’s placement hearing.
Despite this, Antelope Valley residents continue their efforts to fight the relocation plan.
Cheryl Holbrook, a member of the group Ladies of Lake LA, which formed in 2014 to keep predators like Hubbart out of their neighborhood, said, “You can’t change a person like that.”
“You have to leave him in the middle of the desert and 160 kilometers or more away from anyone because he will rape again.”
“The only thing that could stop it is total isolation.”
Harrison has not set a date to make a final decision, but is considering statements from Barger and Gascón, along with complaints shared by residents.
If Harrison decides Antelope Valley is not a good fit for Hubbart, the state will have to “start from scratch” 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 individual, none at all, and he is not the victim.”