Danny Masterson Exploits Fame While Serving 30-Year Prison Sentence- Danny Masterson, known for his role on “That ’70s Show,” has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the rapes of two women in the early 2000s. The sentencing comes after a trial that drew widespread attention due to allegations that the Church of Scientology dissuaded his accusers from reporting the sexual assaults.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo handed down the sentence after denying a motion from Masterson for a new trial and hearing statements from accusers of how his actions impacted their lives.
Key Facts
- Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the rapes of two women two decades ago.
- The trial, which took place in Los Angeles, was marked by the Church of Scientology’s involvement, with prosecutors arguing that Masterson used his role in the church to avoid accountability.
- The sentencing was handed down by Los Angeles superior court judge Charlaine F. Olmedo, who heard statements from the women about the trauma and suffering they experienced.
- The allegations against Masterson date back to March 2017, when journalist Tony Ortega.
The decision caps one of the most high-profile cases of the #MeToo movement and marks one of the few instances a major figure in Hollywood will serve time behind bars for sex crimes that occurred a significant period of time before a criminal case was filed over the allegations. Masterson was charged in June 2020 following a three-year investigation that was initiated when three women came forward with accusations around the same time Harvey Weinstein was publicly accused of sexually assaulting multiple women.
Despite the severe sentence, Masterson maintains his innocence, and his attorneys plan to appeal. The defense argued for a new trial and sought to have sentences for the two convictions run simultaneously, asking for a sentence of 15 years to life. The prosecution, however, asked for the full 30 years to life sentence Masterson was eligible for.
The sentencing hearing was emotional, with one of the women who Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003 speaking in court about the decades of damage he inflicted. She said, “When you raped me, you stole from me,” and described him as “pathetic, disturbed and completely violent.” The judge, however, emphasized that Masterson was not the victim in this case, stating that his actions took away another person’s voice and choice.
Prosecutors alleged that Masterson used his prominence in the Church of Scientology — where all three women were also members at the time — to avoid consequences for decades after the attacks, and the women blamed the church for their hesitancy in going to police about Masterson.
Masterson’s sentencing underscores the seriousness with which sexual assault cases are being handled, especially in high-profile cases involving figures from the entertainment industry. It also highlights the ongoing impact of such crimes on the victims and the broader community.
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