Danny Masterson, star of “That 70s Show” and a very public member of Scientology, has been charged with raping three women, by the Los Angeles District Attorney. Masterson’s alleged crimes here took place between 2001 and 2003. He’s been married since 2011 to Bijou Phillips, daughter of the late John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas, and late actress Genevieve Waite. They have one child.
You can read more in depth coverage of Masterson’s history over at Tony Ortega’s site.
Here’s the release:
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced today that actor Daniel Masterson has been charged with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents occurring between 2001 and 2003. Masterson was charged with three counts of rape by force or fear. The case was filed for warrant yesterday. Arraignment is scheduled for September 18 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
The defendant is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, according to the complaint. In April 2003, Masterson allegedly raped a 28-year-old woman and sometime between October and December of that year he is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman who he had invited to his Hollywood Hills home.Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller of the Sex Crimes Division, who is prosecuting the case, said all of the alleged crimes occurred at the defendant’s home.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison. Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office declined to file sexual assault charges against Masterson in two other cases, one for insufficient evidence and the other based upon the statute of limitations for the crime alleged.The case remains under investigation by Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
