Disgraced Actor Danny Masterson Moved to Maximum-Security Prison That Once Housed Charles Manson

After walking as a free man for years, disgraced actor Danny Masterson stood trial one last time — and justice came for his victims. On May 31, 2023, the That '70s Show star was convicted on two counts of forcible rape. The jury could not reach a verdict on a third rape charge, deadlocking with a vote of 8-4 in favor of conviction.

On Sept. 7, 2023, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison. With that said, is the disgraced actor currently in jail? Read on for all the known details.

Although he previously evaded prison time on a $3.3 million bail, Masterson was handcuffed and immediately sent to jail after the initial verdict in September 2023. He remained in custody without bail until sentencing. Masterson faced 30 years to life in prison and was ultimately sentenced to 30 years.

After his sentencing, Masterson was sent to North Kern State Prison, but he was eventually transferred to a maxim-security prison with a brutal reputation. (More on that later.)

"Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that is why you are here,” said Judge Charlaine Olmedo as she sentenced Masterson in September 2023. In attendance at the sentencing were Masterson's wife and siblings, as well as Leah Remini (who has been very vocal about her experience within Scientology and was there to support Masterson's accusers).

One of Masterson's victims issued a statement expressing relief over the verdict.

"I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior," she said, per AP News. "I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others, will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court."

Masterson's former girlfriend, whose count left the jury deadlocked, said in a statement: "While I'm encouraged that Danny Masterson will face some criminal punishment, I am devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."

She also declared, per Variety, that she's determined to seek justice in civil court, where she and the disgraced actor's two additional victims will "shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson's monstrous behavior."

Los Angeles D.A. George Gascón also issued a statement: "We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all," he said, per The Washington Post.

"While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach, and we thank the jurors for their service."

California prison records show that Masterson is being held at California State Prison, Corcoran — a high-security institution "for the most violent and dangerous male offenders."

YouTuber JumpsuitPablo broke down the details of Masterson's circumstances, explaining that even though the actor was technically placed in a "special needs yard" (aka protective custody), there is nothing actually "protective" about it.

Pablo noted that Charles Manson along with Senator Robert Kennedy's murderer as well as the Dating Game killer were all at one point placed in this yard at Corcoran. "There is no shortage of violence taking place at this yard," Pablo said, citing a 2019 example in which a man was gruesomely decapitated.

Pablo insisted that although many believed that Masterson would get some sort of special treatment as a celebrity, he is actually "anywhere but protective custody — there is nothing protective about where he's at," as he's still surrounded by other inmates, many of whom are former gang members.

In March 2017, four women filed complaints against Masterson, claiming that he had raped them. Later that year, a fifth woman came forward and alleged that he had raped her several times during their relationship.

The LAPD did investigate Masterson, but he was never formally charged. The actor denied all wrongdoing, claiming he only had consensual relationships and interactions with the women accusing him.

Following the allegations, Masterson was fired from The Ranch and his talent agency dropped him as a client.

In August 2019, the women who made complaints to the LAPD filed a lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology because they claimed they were being stalked and harassed as a result of coming forward.

Masterson was ultimately arrested in 2020 and charged with three counts of rape. Due to the statute of limitations and insufficient evidence, only three of Masterson's accusers took him to court.