That ‘70s Show actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years in prison for rapes

The That ‘70s show star was convicted of violently raping two women who were in the Church of Scientology with him.

That ‘70s Show actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years in prison for rapes

US sitcom star Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping two women at the height of his celebrity two decades ago.

The That ‘70s Show star will be in his seventies when he is released.

Masterson, 47 — who in June was found guilty of raping victims Jen B and N Trout in his Hollywood-area home in 2003 — remained silent in court as he was sentenced to 15 years on Thursday, California time, for each count, which will be served consecutively.

“One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences,” Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedoe told Masterson, reported the New York Post.

N Trout slammed the That ‘70s Show actor as a violent man but said she forgave him and hoped he’d improve in prison, according to court reporter Meghann Cuniff.

US actor Danny Masterson in court in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lucy NICHOLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

“You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favourite thing to do,” she read in her victim impact statement before the sentencing.

“Life is precious and fragile. Find your heart … Learn something. Read books. Listen to the brightness of nothing and get well. I forgive you,” she added.

Jen B, meanwhile, used her time to reiterate that there was no conspiracy to take down Masterson or the Church of Scientology.

Prosecutors alleged that Masterson used his celebrity and prominence in the Church of Scientology — where his victims were also members — to skirt the law and avoid accountability.

Cast of TV program That ‘70s Show with Danny Masterson in back row, centre.

Begged him to at least use a condom

“Sorry, Leah’s not behind this,” Jen B said, referencing actor Leah Remini, a former member of the church who has become an outspoken critic.

The victims testified that they were given drinks by Masterson that made them pass out, and he proceeded to violently rape them.

Prosecutors said N Trout was raped so viciously that she threw up in her mouth and begged Masterson to at least use a condom.

Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson in The Ranch on Netflix

Church of Scientology slammed

When the women reported Masterson to Scientology officials, they were told they were not raped and were put through an ethics program.

They told the court that Scientology officials also warned them not to report the crime to the police because Masterson was such a high-ranking member of the church.

Although a jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape following an initial deadlocked vote, the panel could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count alleging Masterson also assaulted his longtime girlfriend Christina Bixler.

Masterson had denied any wrongdoing but did not testify in court, nor did his lawyers call any witnesses to the stand.

Danny Masterson was convicted of raping two women.

Danny Masterson attends the premiere of Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008. (Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP)

Instead, the defence argued that the sexual acts were consensual, and accused the women of co-ordinating stories to discredit the former Hollywood star.

Masterson was never charged with any counts of drugging, and with no toxicology evidence to back up the women’s story, the issue will likely play a factor in Masterson’s plan to appeal the verdict.

The Church of Scientology also issued a statement labelling the women’s testimony “uniformly false”.

“The Church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone — Scientologists or not — to law enforcement,” the statement said.

This story was published in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.