30 years to life.
Back in 2020, actor Danny Masterson, best known for his roles as Rooster in The Ranch and Steven Hyde in That ’70s Show, was charged with three counts of rape after allegations that the star had forcibly raped three separate women between 2001-2003.
In December of 2017, Masterson was fired from the popular Netflix show The Ranch after the allegations were levied against him. The Ranch was one of the biggest shows in the country, but after Masterson’s character Rooster left the show, it never seemed to recover.
And back in May, Masterson learned that he would be spending some hard time behind bars.
A Los Angeles jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape and were unable to reach a verdict on the third after deliberating for over a week.
Masterson, who is married to actress and model Bijou Phillips, did not testify in his own defense, and his defense team did not present any evidence on his own behalf.
All three of his accusers are members of the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson is also still a member. The trial was the second time prosecutors have attempted to get a conviction against the former star, after a jury deadlocked during his first trial last year.
It was a stunning fall from grace for an actor who starred in two of the biggest shows of their time, but the question remained: How much time would he spend behind bars.
Well now we have our answer.
Masterson was back in court today to learn his fate, but before he was sentenced his accusers were once again given the opportunity to address the court, with one of his victims addressing Masterson directly:
“You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favorite thing to do.”
Actress Leah Remini, who has been outspoken against the Church of Scientology after earlier being a member of the organization, was in court to support the victims as they alleged that the church helped to cover-up of Masterson’s crimes, with one of the victims telling the court:
“It’s been filled with attempts to silence us all, to intimidate us and even obstruct.”
Masterson’s attorneys were asking for concurrent sentences of 15 years on each charge. But at the end, after the former star declined to address the court himself, the judge wasn’t having it.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo had harsh words for Masterson after sentencing him to 30 years to life in prison:
“Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here.”
Masterson has been in custody since he was found guilty, but now he knows just how long he’s going to stay there – and it’s a long time.
