Actor Danny Masterson segregated in prison for ‘his own safety’ ahead of sentencing for rape

The star of That ‘70s Show was found guilty earlier this week on two counts of rape. Masterson had previously been free on US$3 million bail
Masterson is being kept in ‘administrative segregation’ in an LA prison cell once occupied by the likes of Suge Knight and OJ Simpson, police sources said

Sexual harassment and assault

Tribune News Service

Published: 6:50am, 4 Jun 2023

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US actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson is being held away from the general population and inside a private cell in Los Angeles – once occupied by the likes of former record executive Suge Knight and ex-football player OJ Simpson – while he awaits his sentencing hearing for rape.

The star of That ’70s Show and The Ranch is being kept in “administrative segregation” at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail for his own safety, police sources told entertainment news site TMZ, citing the high-profile nature of the case.

Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips arrive for closing arguments in his second rape trial on May 16 in Los Angeles. Photo: AP

While there is no television in his cell, Masterson will be granted two hours per day when he will be allowed to visit the day room and have access to a phone and television. The actor will also have three hours each week for recreation, in addition to having access to the prison library, TMZ reported.

Masterson had previously been free on US$3 million bail.

He was found guilty earlier this week on two counts of rape, while jurors were left deadlocked on a third charge. The verdict came after a lengthy retrial during which all three of his accusers testified, followed by jury deliberations, which lasted more than a week.

The allegations against Masterson first came to light in 2017. He was swiftly fired from Netflix comedy The Ranch and has since been excluded from That ’90s Show, a reboot of the series that brought him fame.

That ‘70s Show actor Danny Masterson found guilty of rape

Masterson was arrested in 2020 over the alleged assaults that occurred between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home. His first trial, which began in October, resulted in a deadlocked jury after more than five weeks of testimony.

Masterson has long maintained his innocence, claiming that each of the encounters were consensual. He is due back in court on August 4 and faces up to 30 years behind bars.