Danny Masterson, American actor and influential member of the Church of Scientology, has been found guilty by the US justice system for sexually assaulting two women. The jury in Los Angeles was unable to reach a verdict regarding a third plaintiff.

The incidents are said to have taken place between 2001 and 2003 at the 47-year-old comedian’s Hollywood Hills residence. He faces a maximum sentence of thirty years in prison, with the judge determining his punishment on August 4th.

The three alleged victims were also members of the controversial religious organization, Scientology. During the trial, prosecutors accused Danny Masterson of drugging and raping each of the plaintiffs, while calling for him to be held accountable.

Actor Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

This case has raised questions about the role played by this deeply entrenched church in the Californian city, as well as its influence on local judicial authorities.

Indeed, two victims claimed that the institution had attempted to dissuade them from contacting the police, in order to prevent an investigation from being opened against Danny Masterson.

In the previous trial last November, which involved a different jury, no verdict could be reached as no unanimous decision was made, despite several witnesses appearing before the court.

Actor Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

Danny Masterson gained fame through his iconic role alongside Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis in the series “That ’70s Show.”

He also starred alongside Kutcher in another Netflix production, “The Ranch,” before being removed from the show in 2017 following accusations of sexual assault made by the Los Angeles Police Department.