Actor Danny Masterson Charged With Raping Women At Hollywood Home

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Danny Masterson has been charged with raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

The 44-year-old actor has been under scrutiny for years, having been under investigation by the LAPD since 2016, Variety reported. Masterson is a member of the Church of Scientology, and last August, four women sued Masterson along with the church, alleging that they were stalked and harassed after they filed sexual assault reports with the LAPD.

Masterson, known for appearing on "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch," is set to be arraigned Sept. 18 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on three counts of rape by force or fear.

Masterson was arrested at 11:30 a.m. by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division and released several hours later on a $3.3 million bond, jail records show.

Masterson's attorney, Tom Mesereau, released a statement saying his client "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."

"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," Mesereau said. "The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false."

The criminal complaint, filed Tuesday, alleges that Masterson raped a 23-year-old woman between January 2001 and December 2001.

He is also charged with raping a 28-year-old woman in April 2003 and a 23-year-old woman he had invited to his home some time between October and December 2003, according to Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller.

Masterson could face up to 45 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged.

The District Attorney's Office declined to file sexual assault charges against him in two other alleged incidents, citing insufficient evidence on one and the statute of limitations on the other.

In December 2017, Netflix announced that Masterson had been fired from the Emmy-winning scripted comedy "The Ranch" amid sexual assault allegations.

The actor said then that he was "very disappointed" and "it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused." He also "denied the outrageous allegations" and said he looked forward to "clearing my name once and for all."

City News Service contributed to this report.