Rape: ‘That ’70s Show’ star sentenced to 30 years in prison Rape: ‘That ’70s Show’ star sentenced to 30 years in prison

American actor Danny Masterson (47, “That 70’s Show”) has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape. Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed down the sentence Thursday in Los Angeles. Masterson’s lawyers said they would appeal the verdict.

The actor was found guilty in a criminal trial at the end of May. Twelve jurors subsequently found him guilty of the rape of two women in 2003. In a third case of charges of rape by another woman, the jury was unable to agree on a unanimous verdict.

Masterson had always denied the allegations and pleaded “not guilty”. All sexual acts were consensual, the actor claimed at trial.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Masterson was silent on Thursday when the verdict was handed down. Several family members were in court, including Masterson’s wife, actress Bijou Phillips.

It was the second case against the actor. The first criminal trial ended in November 2022 without result. At the time, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in any of the three cases. The responsible judge then declared a so-called mistrial. The Public Prosecution Service reopened the case this year.

“This has been a long and arduous road for Mr. Masterson’s victims,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón wrote in a statement Thursday. He praised the women for their courage in going to court. He wants to make sure that Los Angeles is no longer a “hunting ground” for a Hollywood elite who think it’s right to abuse women.

Last February, former Hollywood magnate Harvey Weinstein (71) was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison for sex crimes in Los Angeles. At a trial in New York in 2020, he had already received a 23-year prison sentence for rape and assault.

Masterson’s victims spoke in court on Thursday before the judge handed down the verdict. According to Variety, one of the women described the actor as a “true coward and heartless monster.”

The police investigation began in 2017. The plaintiffs included an ex-girlfriend of the actor. The women described similar circumstances, with Masterson drugging and then raping them in his home. The controversial Scientology organization, which describes itself as a church, was also discussed in the proceedings. Masterson is a prominent member and sometimes the accusers were also part of the organization, as US media reported.

Masterson has been married to actress Bijou Phillips since 2011. The couple has a daughter. The actor became known for the comedy series “That Seventies Show”, in which he played Steven Hyde from 1998 to 2006, who always wore sunglasses. (sda/dpa)