Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of rape convictions

With his trial concluded, That 70s Show star Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for multiple rapes. The sentence, handed down by LA Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, passes the maximum sentence onto Masterson for his crimes. Masterson chose to remain silent during Thursday’s court session. However, Judge Charlaine Olmedo spoke to him directly about a “criminal justice system that you feel has failed you,” saying, “You are not the victim here …your actions 20 years ago were criminal.” After serving his time, Masterson must register as a sex offender, per the details of his punishment. As Masterson exited the courtroom, his wife, Bijou Phillips, and other family members quietly wept.

Today’s results come after Masterson was found guilty by an LA jury three months ago on two of three counts of sexual assault. The rapes transpired two decades ago, and the actor was granted 150 days credit for time already served. Additionally, he can file an appeal within 60 days, a step his defense lawyers are expected to make in due time.

Attorney Shawn Holley pointed out today and in a court filing this week that if Masterson’s defense succeeded in their arguments, he would have seen 15 years to life as the maximum sentence, with a chance for parole 85% of the way through his sentence. Still, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office disagreed and asked for 30 years to life in prison.

Rape allegations against Danny Masterson emerged in 2017, which led to him being fired from The Ranch, the Netflix comedy series he starred in alongside Ashton Kutcher. In June 2020, he was officially charged with raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001, a 28-year-old woman in early 2003, and a 23-year-old woman in late 2003. Danny Masterson had denied all of the rape allegations against him and didn’t testify at either trial.

All three women, as well as Danny Masterson, were members of the Church of Scientology when the alleged assaults took place. Some of the women said they were discouraged from contacting law enforcement by church officials and feared that their family members would be excommunicated and labeled “suppressive persons” if they took action.

After the trial motion was denied today, LA County Deputy D.A. Ariel Anson read statements from all three Jane Doe victims aloud.

“I believed him when he called me stupid, untalented, trash,” said the statement by Jane Doe #3, Masterson’s former girlfriend Christina B. She describes Masterson’s “charming” mask and says the harassment she and her family have endured from the Church of Scientology since reporting the assaults by Masterson to the police years ago has encroached on her life. The Jane Doe said she was “regularly abused …and raped repeatedly” in the “cycle of abuse” that most of their relationship became.

“No one is alone,” said Jane Doe #2. “Nowhere felt safe …I have severe PTSD, waves of panic attacks,” she continued. “You did this to me and all your victim intentionally.”

“I still have to contend with what you did to me …the rape deformed my ability to trust others,” Jane Doe #2 added scathingly. She also chastised the Church of Scientology for “protecting its prized members.”

“I don’t choose to be born into Scientology, just as I didn’t choose to be raped by Danny Masterson,” said Jen B, Jane Doe #1. “I wished I had reported him earlier to the police,” she adds.

For more details about Masteron’s sentencing and comments regarding the victims and the Church of Scientology, check out Deadline‘s report.