Rapist Christopher Hubbart may live in home near Palmdale, judge says

A serial rapist who admitted assaulting dozens of women in the 1970s and ‘80s and has been confined for nearly two decades because of his violent sexual tendencies could reside in an unincorporated area east of Palmdale after his release, a Northern California judge announced Friday.

A landlord has agreed to rent a single-family residence in an arid, sparsely populated area in the 20000 block of East Avenue R to house Christopher Evans Hubbart, who served time for sexually assaulting at least 40 women.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Gilbert Brown on Friday tentatively approved the location and set a hearing date to review public comments for May 21.

Authorities in Los Angeles County, which was Hubbart’s last address before he was convicted, unsuccessfully fought to keep Hubbart from being placed in the county. Last July, a state appellate court struck down L.A. County prosecutors’ request to have Hubbart placed instead in Santa Clara County without comment.

L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said Friday she wasn’t finished with her attempt to keep Hubbart away. “I will continue to oppose Hubbart’s release,” she said in a statement. “My top priority is to protect our community.”

If Hubbart is ultimately released here, Lacey said she would work with law enforcement to ensure he is closely watched and the conditions of his release strictly enforced.

The residence announced Friday is the second location found by state authorities for Hubbart to live. A landlord in Lake Los Angeles who had initially agreed to house Hubbart backed out last year due to public pressure.

Hubbart, who has been confined since 1996 under a state law allowing authorities to commit sexually violent predators to state hospitals based on their likelihood of reoffending, will have round-the-clock security monitoring for at least 30 days, will be required to wear an ankle bracelet monitor, and will be subject to regular drug and alcohol testing and lie detector tests, said Santa Clara County Deputy Dist. Atty. Vonda Tracey.

Tracey said the home was at least three miles from any school or park, in compliance with state laws on sex offenders.

“From a public safety perspective it’s a good location,” she said after Friday’s hearing, adding that the company contracted to house Hubbart had a good track record. “I’m confident they can keep people in the community safe.”

L.A. County prosecutors invited the public to submit comments via email.

Hubbard’s attorney was not immediately available for comment.

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victoria.kim@latimes.com

Twitter: @vicjkim