Danny Masterson of ‘The Ranch,’ ‘That ‘70s Show’ charged with raping three women

Danny Masterson in 2017 | Anna Webber/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson was charged with the rapes of three women in the early 2000s, Los Angeles prosecutors said Wednesday.

The three counts of rape by force or fear come after a three-year investigation of the 44-year-old Masterson. The charges were filed Tuesday and Masterson was arrested late Wednesday morning, jail records showed. He was being held on $3.3 million bail.

Masterson is charged with raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001, a 28-year-old woman in early 2003 and a 23-year-old woman in late 2003.

Masterson’s attorney Tom Mesereau said his client “is innocent, 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 [actress Bijou Phillips] 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 in a statement. “The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”

Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller of the Sex Crimes Division, who is prosecuting the case, said all of the alleged crimes occurred at Masterson’s home in Hollywood Hills.

If convicted as charged, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison.

Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey said her office declined to file sexual assault charges against Masterson in two other cases, one because there was insufficient evidence and the other based on the statute of limitations.

Danny Masterson (center) appears with Ashton Kutcher (left) and Wilmer Valderrama on a 1998 episode of “That ’70s Show.”

Masterson began playing his breakthrough role as Steven Hyde on “That ’70s Show” in 1998 and remained for all of the Fox sitcom’s eight seasons.

He reunited with “ ’70s” actor Ashton Kutcher as stars (playing brothers) and executive producers of the Netflix series “The Ranch” but was fired in 2017 as the rape allegations surfaced.