For two rapes, Danny Masterson received a life sentence plus 30 years in prison.

American actor Danny Masterson was given a life sentence for his conviction on two counts of rape.

At the time of his offenses in the early 2000s, Masterson was a star on the TV show That ’70s Show.

The prosecution claimed that Masterson, 47, used his high profile as a Scientologist as an excuse for his actions.

Before he was sentenced, Judge Charlaine Olmedo let the victims of his crimes read impact statements.

American actor Danny Masterson was given a life sentence for his conviction on two counts of rape.

At the time of his offenses in the early 2000s, Masterson was a star on the TV show That ’70s Show.

The prosecution claimed that Masterson, 47, used his high profile as a Scientologist as an excuse for his actions.

Before he was sentenced, Judge Charlaine Olmedo let the victims of his crimes read impact statements.

Leah Remini, an actress and prominent ex-Scientologist, was present at Thursday’s session and consoled the women before and after they testified.

One of the women reportedly said, “I wish I had reported him to the police earlier.” This was published by US media.

I forgive you,” another woman said Masterson. It is no longer my burden to carry your illness,” as reported by Reuters.

Masterson said nothing during his court appearance.

Bijou Phillips, his wife, was reportedly seen in court sobbing as the judge pronounced the maximum punishment against her husband.

After the original jury in Masterson’s 2022 trial deadlocked, a new jury quickly reached a guilty conviction in May. Masterson was brought into jail because he was judged a flight risk after his conviction.

Three women testified against the actor in court, and he was found guilty of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood home between 2001 and 2003, when his TV career was at its peak.

The prosecution presented evidence that he had drugged them before assaulting them.

Two out of his three accusers judged him guilty of rape. Prosecutors have stated they have no intention of retrying the case because of the mistrial on the third accuser’s claims.

Attorney Alison Anderson, who is representing two of the victims, said in a statement emailed to BBC News that her clients “have displayed tremendous strength and bravery, by coming forward to law enforcement and participating directly in two grueling criminal trials.”

“Despite persistent harassment, obstruction, and intimidation, these courageous women helped hold a ruthless sexual predator accountable today,” she added.

The Church of Scientology has consistently refuted the prosecution’s claims that it covered up the assaults during the trial.

All three of Masterson’s accusers were also Scientologists at the time of the attacks. Several of the victims claimed it took them a long time to come forward because they were discouraged for years by Church of Scientology leaders from going to the authorities about the rape.

One survivor was allegedly threatened with expulsion from the Scientology community unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and received a payment of $400,000 (£320,000), as reported by prosecutors.

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Scientology was enraged by Judge Olmedo’s decision to allow both sides to debate the religion’s theology and practices throughout the trial.

The Church of Scientology issued a statement following the May decision claiming that “not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers.”
One woman testified in court on Thursday about how her mother, a practicing Scientologist, had disowned her.

“She texted me and told me to never contact her again,” she said, according to the LA Times.

She had forewarned me that she wanted Danny Masterson punished for what he had done to me, but not if it meant jeopardizing her faith.

Another woman claimed that the Church of Scientology had been harassing her ever since she spoke out against the group.

She remarked, “But I don’t regret it. The cult of Scientology has been terrorizing, harassing, and invading my privacy daily since the week I came forward to police.”

In 2017, at the height of the #MeToo movement, Masterson was first accused of rape. All of the contacts, he claimed, were mutually agreed upon.

The Los Angeles Police Department spent three years investigating the case before filing charges. In two other cases, prosecutors decided not to press charges due to a lack of evidence or the passage of time, respectively.

Jessica Barth, who started Voices in Action in the wake of the #MeToo movement, was also present during the sentencing on Thursday.

Ms. Barth was one of the women who came forward to allege sexual misconduct by disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Her organization’s mission includes spreading the message that it’s okay to speak up about abuse.

According to a Los Angeles court official, the judge refused Masterson’s defense team’s plea for a new trial prior to the hearing.