Danny Masterson Arrested And Charged For Raping Three Women
By Katrina Nattress
June 17, 2020
Danny Masterson has been arrested for raping three women between the years 2001 and 2003, Variety reports. The 44-year-old was taken into custody by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division on Wednesday morning (June 16) and charged with three counts of rape. He's being held on $3.3 million bail and if convicted faces up to 45 years in prison. An arraignment has been set for September 18.
“Mr. Masterson is innocent, and we’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify,” The actor's attorney Tom Mesereau said in a statement. “Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out. The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”
The former That 70s Show star is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman sometime between January and December of 2001, a 28-year-old woman in April 2003, and another 23-year-old woman between October and December of 2003. In addition to the charges, Masterson was investigated for two other claims that were dismissed due to insufficient evidence in one case and the statute of limitations in the other.
Masterson has been under investigation by the LAPD since 2016 and was dropped by the Netflix series The Ranch in December 2017. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Photo: Getty Images