Ex-Scientologist Leah Remini said Danny Masterson was a “dangerous rapist” following his sentencing on Thursday.
“I am relieved that this dangerous rapist will be off the streets and unable to violently assault and rape women with the help of Scientology, a multi-billion-dollar criminal organization with tax-exempt status,” The “King of Queens” star tweeted.
Masterson, 47, known for his role in “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for dual sexual assaults agianst two women that occurred two decades ago.
The actor has been in custody since May and appeared in court wearing a suit as the sentence was handed down by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo.
Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role in the TV sitcom ‘That '70s Show,’ received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison for raping two women roughly 20 years ago https://t.co/DZ4aMqi2AA pic.twitter.com/0IZdwoIs7X
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 8, 2023
The decision came after the court heard emotional statements from the victims about the traumatic experiences they endured and the lasting effects on their lives.
One of the women expressed her feelings during her statement, stating, “When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”
She told Masterson that he was “pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent,” and noted that “the world is better off” with him behind bars.
The other victim accused “The Ranch” star of showing “no remorse for the pain he cuased,” and said she wished she’d reported the crime sooner for “the safety of all women.”
Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape on May 31st, after a week of deliberations, which followed a mistrial in December when the initial jury was hung.
It took 25 years instead of 5 but the prophecy Danny Masterson made finally came true.#That70sShow pic.twitter.com/6C3o2AGHIM
— JM (@The6thJM) September 7, 2023
Both incidents of rapes occurred in 2003 at Masterson’s Hollywood-area home when he was at the peak of his fame on the show “That ’70s Show.”
However, the jury could not reach a verdict on the third count, which alleged that he also raped a former girlfriend.
During the sentencing, Masterson’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, pleaded for leniency, highlighting his client’s contributions to society and how his 9-year-old daughter would be affected.
Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life for raping 2 women….Conan knew pic.twitter.com/KEE596oqdl
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) September 7, 2023
Holley argued for sentences to be served simultaneously and requested a term of 15 years to life; however, the prosecution sought the maximum sentence of 30 years to life.
The judge ultimately rejected the defense’s motion for a new trial and imposed the maximum sentence.
All three victims were members of the Church of Scientology, where prosecutors argued Masterson flexed his celebrity stature to suppress criminal charges.
Each of the women testified that they reported the assaults to church officials, who informed them they had not been raped, cautioned them against filing criminal reports, and forced into ethical programs.
Leah Remini straight up interviewed some of Danny Masterson's alleged victims and no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/dcDfJSsMfu
— webNTI (@NtiAning) November 24, 2019
Remini, who was raised in the church and has been a vocal thorn in their side since separating from Scientology a decade ago, accused the organization of flexing financial resources and religious protections to “snatch justice” away from former members.
“For over two decades, Danny Masterson avoided accountability for his crimes,” she wrote in a lengthy Twitter statement on Thursday.
“While Danny was the only one sentenced, his conviction and sentence are indictments against Scientology, its operatives, and its criminal leader, David Miscavige.”
Remini, who attended the court proceedings said she was “in awe of” Masterson’s victims, who had been “terrorized” by Scientologists for “over two decades.”
Mike Rinder and I had to hop on to a live to discuss how Scientology is going to handle the fact that Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life.
We also took some time to answer some of your questions! https://t.co/2DsQA0hyNq
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) September 8, 2023
“These women not only faced the living hell of being raped, having their rapes covered up by the very organization that promised to protect them,” she detailed.
“But they have also faced ruthless and criminal harassment by Scientology and its agents since they came forward to law enforcement.”
Remini noted that in the religion, reporting other members to law enforcement agencies is a “high crime.”
“The consequences of such a high crime are devastating: you will lose everything you’ve ever known, from your family to your friends to your job,” she explained.
The actress, who hosted A&E docuseries “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” for three years, was previously accused by Masterson of influencing the police and prosecutors against him in by encouraging his victims to make criminal reports against him.
In a bid to get more time to plead his case in 2021, he claimed that she was “correcting” the women’s statements during interviews with prosecutors, who he alleged were “starstruck” by her celebrity.
Remini thanked law enforcement agents and court officials for their “fair and impartial approach” to both the case and trial.
“The women who survived Danny’s predation fought tirelessly for justice. Their tenacity, strength, and courage have given hope to all victims of Scientology that justice is possible. For that, we will forever be grateful,” she concluded.