Rape Suspect’s Bail Set at $1 Million
Andrew Luster, the man being held on suspicion of drugging and raping a 21-year-old Santa Barbara woman, was in court Monday where a judge set his bail at $1 million.
His arraignment was postponed until Aug. 1.
Joel Isaacson, Luster’s defense attorney, said the 36-year-old Mussel Shoals man did not commit rape and that his accuser had consensual sex with three men.
Luster, the unemployed heir to the Max Factor fortune, is being held on at least 18 counts, including rape with someone intoxicated, oral copulation with a victim under the influence of a controlled substance, drug possession, possession of a dangerous weapon and kidnapping with intent to commit rape.
Authorities said Luster met the woman and her male friend at a Santa Barbara bar, slipped the date-rape drug into their drinks, took them to his Mussel Shoals house and raped her at least twice. Sheriff’s officials did not release information about the man’s whereabouts during the alleged attack.
Luster--great grandson of Max Factor, the Hollywood makeup artist turned cosmetics magnate--had photos and handmade videos of sexual activity with semi-conscious or unconscious women, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
On Monday, Ventura County Judge Art Gutierrez ordered Luster not to have contact with the accuser, or to leave Ventura County if he posts bail.
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