Danny Masterson, known for his role in the popular TV show "That '70s Show," could face a prison sentence ranging from 30 years to life.
The sentencing is scheduled for Thursday and follows his conviction for the rape of two women nearly two decades ago. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo is expected to reject a defense motion for a new trial and will hear impact statements from the victims.
According to AP A jury consisting of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty on two counts after seven days of deliberation. The incidents occurred in 2003 in Masterson's Hollywood home.
The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count, which alleged that Masterson also raped a long-term girlfriend.
Prosecutors claimed that Masterson used his standing in the Church of Scientology to evade consequences for years. The victims, also members of the church at the time, testified that they were discouraged from reporting the rapes to law enforcement by church officials. The church has denied these allegations.
Masterson's defense argued that the sexual encounters were consensual and aimed to discredit the victims by pointing out inconsistencies in their stories. Masterson did not testify, and his lawyers called no witnesses.
The conviction is considered a significant win for Los Angeles prosecutors in the era of #MeToo, following the conviction of Harvey Weinstein last year.
Masterson's defense plans to appeal the conviction, particularly focusing on the lack of toxicology evidence to support claims that he drugged the victims.
