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

Enraged residents in a rural California valley have blasted 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 around 40 women in California in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He got his horrendous nickname because he used a pillowcase to muffle the screams of some of his victims.

He is now set to be released in an area near 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 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 they have had a sexually violent criminal 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 out here for quality of life, to raise their family. And now, the area's being proposed for sex offenders - that's problematic.' 

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

It is home to around half a million people, with its two biggest cities Palmdale and Lancaster.  

Superior Court Judge Robert Harrison held a placement hearing at the Hollywood Courthouse on Tuesday to determine where Hubbard would be relocated upon 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 reached. But this is not the first time the convicted rapist has been released into the Antelope Valley area.  

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

Now locals are fiercely pushing back against plans for him to return to the area.

In a statement following the hearing, Barger said: 'Juniper Hills and the Antelope Valley at large are home to many women and families who work hard and want to enjoy peaceful lives. 

'Make no mistake - Christopher Hubbart belongs in a secure and locked facility where there is zero threat of him being able to harm anyone ever again.'

In a letter to the judge, Harrison, Barger added: 'I also want to emphasize that the proposed location is proximal to 25 homes with a square mile - homes that house single women and children.' 

When the residential placement was scheduled last month, Senator Scott Wilks wrote on Facebook: 'He wasn't welcome here ten years ago, and he isn't welcome today. How can someone who has admitted to raping at least 40 women, whose crimes span decades, be allowed back into society?'

Another major cause for concern is that the house where Hubbart is set to be placed is more than 20 miles away from the nearest sheriff's office. 

The valley also has inconsistent internet and cellphone service, with Barger adding that law enforcement is already 'stretched thin' in the area.

Capt. Richard Cartmill of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it was the department's opinion that the location was 'less than suitable,' ABC7 reported.

He noted that the police response time was 'further complicated by the dirt roads that lead to the residence,' and that there were 'undeniable logistical issues,' according to the outlet.

Officials also raised complaints about the valley being repeatedly chosen to house violent predators.  

Barger wrote in a letter to the judge that Antelope Valley has gone through this process repeatedly and called the situation 'glaringly unfair and unjust.'

'Residents of the Antelope Valley have gone through this process three times. Mr. Hubbart was placed in the region in 2014, only to be removed for violating his conditions of release. 

'After his removal, two other sexually violent predators were placed in the Antelope Valley and still live here.

'No other sexually violent predators are on conditional release anywhere else in Los Angeles County. This is glaringly unfair and unjust'.

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

'Repeatedly placing these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents.'

Resident Linda Adams told KTLA5: 'When there’s only 20 of these sexually violent predators in the whole state and two of them are already housed in our area, and this would make a third, yeah, it’s 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, according to ABC 7. 

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

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

She said: 'You've got individuals that are buying up these homes and then approaching the companies that are contracted to find placement for these sexually violent predators and they're willing to pay more than market value.

'I think they believe if it's rural, it's going to go unnoticed.'

Barger added: 'The last time he lived here, we were committed to fight it. We plan to do it again.

'We are going to find out where he lives and going to be outside every night, yelling at him with bullhorns again to let him know that's he's not wanted here.'

Harrison said he was aware that the community is worried about Hubbart's return, but claimed he 'will not be on his own' and will be participating in a 'highly 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 group Ladies of Lake LA which was formed in 2014 to keep predators like Hubbart out of their neighborhood, said: 'There is no changing a person like that.

'He needs to be put out in the middle of the desert and 100 miles or more away from anyone because he will rape again.

'The only thing that might stop him is complete isolation.'

Harrison has not set a date to make a final decision but is considering Barger and Gascón's statements, along with grievances shared by residents. 

If Harrison decides that 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. This could take about three years, according to Barger.

Barger said: 'I have no sympathy for this individual - none, whatsoever, and he is not the victim'.