Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life for two rapes 

US actor Danny Masterson has been given a severe punishment of 30 years to life in prison for raping two women.

Masterson was known for his role in That '70s Show, a TV series from the early 2000s. Prosecutors argued that he used his position as a well-known member of the Church of Scientology to avoid getting in trouble.

The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, allowed the victims to speak in court before the sentencing. Actress Leah Remini, who used to be a Scientologist, was present at the hearing to support the women.

One of the victims said she regretted not reporting him to the police sooner. Another forgave Masterson, saying she wouldn't carry the burden of his sickness anymore.

Masterson didn't say anything during the hearing. His wife, Bijou Phillips, was visibly upset in court when the judge gave him the maximum sentence.

Masterson was found guilty in May after a second trial, as the first jury couldn't decide in 2022. He was taken into custody right after his conviction because he was considered a flight risk.

The actor was convicted of raping two of the three women who accused him. The jury heard that he had given them drugs before the assaults occurred.

His third accuser's case was declared a mistrial, and prosecutors don't plan to retry it.

A lawyer representing two of the victims praised their strength and courage for coming forward despite harassment and intimidation.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had helped cover up the assaults. The church denied these claims.

At the time of the attacks, Masterson and all three accusers were Scientologists. Some of the women said they were discouraged from reporting the rapes to the police by Scientology officials.

One survivor was told she would lose her membership in the church unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a payment of $400,000.

During the trial, both sides discussed Scientology's beliefs and practices, which upset the organization.

In a statement after the verdict in May, the Church of Scientology denied harassing the accusers.

One woman at the hearing said her mother, who is still a practicing Scientologist, had cut ties with her because she didn't want her religion to be harmed by Masterson's actions.

Another woman said she had been targeted by the Church of Scientology since she spoke out but had no regrets.

Masterson faced rape accusations in 2017 during the #MeToo movement but denied them, claiming the encounters were consensual.

Charges were filed after a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Prosecutors didn't charge him in two other cases due to insufficient evidence and the statute of limitations expiring.

The judge denied a motion for a new trial by Masterson's defense team before the hearing.