Judge orders serial ‘pillowcase rapist’ released to Palmdale area

A Northern California judge has decided to allow a convicted serial rapist to live in unincorporated Palmdale despite opposition from concerned residents.

Santa Clara County Judge Gilbert Brown issued his decision Friday granting Christopher Evans Hubbart’s release within the next 45 days.

Hubbart, who admitted to assaulting dozens of women in the 1970s and ‘80s, is slated to reside in the 20300 block of East Avenue R, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

The decision comes after a half-dozen Antelope Valley residents voiced their objections during a hearing Wednesday in San Jose regarding Hubbart’s placement.

Brown also reviewed emails, petitions, cards and five banker boxes filled with letters.

In a statement issued after the ruling, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said the judge’s order failed to consider objections by law enforcement and community members who sent thousands of opposition letters.

“It’s outrageous that an admitted sexual predator with a long history of brutal crimes against women be released in this community – or any community,” Antonovich said.

Brown had tentatively approved Hubbart’s release in April after a landlord agreed to rent him a home in the 20000 block of East Avenue R near Palmdale.

Hubbart, 63, has been confined since 1996 due to his violent sexual tendencies. Hubbart earned the nickname “pillowcase rapist” because he sometimes muffled women’s screams with pillowcases.

He is required to wear an ankle GPS monitor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hubbart will attend group and individual therapy sessions twice a week, and will be supervised by the Liberty Conditional Release Program.

A supervisor with the program will also accompany him during any public trips for the first six months to a year after his release.

Hubbart must also report to the judge in San Jose for quarterly progress reports.