Actor and North Shore native Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday for raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home in California over two decades ago, according to multiple reports.
Masterson, 47, who was raised in Garden City and East Williston, showed no visible emotion after being sentenced by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, according to NBC News.
“Mr. Masterson, I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo said. “But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here.”
The “That ‘70s Show” star was found guilty of two rape charges in May earlier this year. Masterson was also tried on a third rape charge but the jury could not reach a verdict.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón thanked the women who came forward in a post-sentencing statement.
“My hope is that this sentence will somehow bring them peace and that their bravery will be an example to others,” Gascón said according to NBC News. “One of my top priorities is to ensure that Los Angeles will no longer be a hunting ground for Hollywood elite who feel entitled to prey on women.”
Alison Anderson, the lawyer for two accusers, said the women “displayed tremendous strength and bravery” according to The New York Times
The three charges against Masterson were first publicized in May 2021.
Three separate women, identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3, accused Masterson of assaulting them in 2001 and 2003, according to court documents.
Masterson’s first trial ended in November 2022 with a mistrial and his second trial began earlier this year the actor was found guilty of raping Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 but not Jane Doe #3.
Masterson did not testify during the trial and his lawyers did not call any witnesses.
The Church of Scientology, of which Masterson is a member, reportedly played a significant role in the case against the actor, whose credits include the sitcom “Men at Work” and the 2008 Jim Carrey comedy “Yes Man.”
All three women who accused Masterson are former Scientologists, according to the Associated Press.
After Masterson’s conviction, the church said in a statement that did not mention Masterson by name that the introduction of religion into the trial by the prosecution was “an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment.”
“The Church was not a party to this case and religion did not belong in this proceeding as Supreme Court precedent has maintained for centuries,” the statement said.
The church itself was not named as a defendant in the case but the testimony was allowed by Masterson’s accusers saying church officials pressured the women into not reporting the rapes, according to multiple reports.
Efforts to reach Masterson or a representative from the defense for comment were unavailing.
