In a significant development on Thursday, former “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson, known for his role as Steven Hyde, was handed a lengthy prison sentence of at least 30 years for the rape of two women at his Hollywood Hills home over two decades ago. This decision comes after his conviction in May for drugging and sexually assaulting fellow members of the Church of Scientology between 2001 and 2003.
Presiding over the case, Judge Charlaine Olmedo imposed consecutive sentences of 15 years-to-life for each rape conviction, rebuking Masterson’s continued denial of guilt. She sternly told him, “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here,” emphasizing that his actions had silenced and robbed another person of their agency.
Married to actress Bijou Phillips and the father of a nine-year-old daughter, Masterson was additionally ordered to register as a sex offender for life upon his eventual release from prison.
One of the victims, identified as Jane Doe 2, bravely confronted Masterson during the sentencing hearing, accusing him of “relishing” in hurting women. She asserted, “You lived your life behind a mask as two people. But the real one sits here,” asserting that the world is now “safer” with Masterson behind bars.
This marked the second trial for the 47-year-old actor after the first proceedings ended in a mistrial in November when a different jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. The retrial’s jury was deadlocked on another rape charge against a third woman, ultimately leading to its dismissal.
Masterson had been in custody since his conviction in May, marking a stunning downfall for the actor who rose to fame with the launch of the retro sitcom “That ’70s Show” in 1998. His character, Steven Hyde, was a beloved part of the show’s ensemble, alongside co-stars Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.
However, Masterson’s career took a nosedive when he was fired from Netflix’s “The Ranch” in 2017, following Los Angeles police investigations into multiple rape allegations against him.
The three women central to the charges against Masterson were all members of the Church of Scientology at the time of the assaults. Shockingly, two of them alleged that church officials discouraged them from reporting the crimes to law enforcement.
During closing arguments, Masterson’s defense team questioned the emphasis on Scientology in the trial, suggesting that bias against the church could have influenced the case’s trajectory.
In response, the Church of Scientology vehemently denied any involvement in silencing the victims, stating, “The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement.” They further asserted, “Quite the opposite, church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land.”
This landmark case, which has captivated the public’s attention, underscores the importance of justice and accountability for victims of sexual assault, even in high-profile and complex legal battles. Danny Masterson’s sentencing sends a powerful message that no one is above the law.
