That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday for raping two women two decades ago at the height of his celebrity.
Masterson, 47, was found guilty of raping victims Jen B. and N. Trout in his Hollywood-area home back in 2003, when he enjoyed fame as part of the main cast of Fox’s hit sitcom.
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.
The victims testified that they were given drinks by Masterson that made them pass out, where he proceeded to violently rape them. Prosecutors N. Trout was raped so viciously that she threw up in her mouth and begged Masterson to at least use a condom.
When the women reported Masterson to Scientology officials, they were told they were not raped and 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-standing member of the church.
Although a jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape following an initial deadlock vote, they count not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count alleging Masterson also assaulted his longtime girlfriend Christina Bixler.
Masterson has denied any wrongdoing but did not testify in court, nor did his lawyers call any witnesses to the stand.
Instead, the defense argued that the sexual acts were consensual, and accused the women of coordinating 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 labeling 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.
With Post wires