Danny Masterson, the disgraced actor known for his role in “That 70s Show,” has officially started his 30-year prison sentence.
As reported by KABC-TV, he was checked in at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California on Wednesday.
According to state officials, he will now go through an inmate reception process that will determine the level of security designated for him.
A mug shot of Masterson wearing an orange jumpsuit with long hair and a beard was released on Wednesday.
In May, Masterson was convicted of two counts of forcible rape.
Former ‘That ‘70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson's first mug shot is released as he's transferred to state prison to serve his 30 years to life sentence for raping two women in 2003. pic.twitter.com/JUgEba5OBc
— No Jumper (@nojumper) December 27, 2023
Masterson, a committed Scientologist, had been detained at Los Angeles County Jail since his conviction as post-sentencing hearings and other legal issues were addressed.
The case generated further controversy due to Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, two of Masterson’s former co-stars in “That 70s Show,” submitting letters pleading for leniency on the basis that he posed no threat to the public.
“I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society,” Kutcher wrote in one of the letters.
Meanwhile, Kunis spoke of his “exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him.”
The couple, who are married, later apologized in a video posted on social media to clarify the “letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.”
“They were intended for the judge to read,” Kutcher added. “And not to undermine the testimony of the victims, or re-traumatize them in any way. We would never want to do that.”
They both resigned their positions from Thorn, the child abuse charity co-founded by Kutcher.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologize for writing letters in support of Danny Masterson. pic.twitter.com/PDHiQRZ0CH
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 9, 2023
Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp submitted letters of appeal to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo of Los Angeles Superior Court requesting leniency in the case against Masterson; however, their pleas were disregarded and he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Presently, Masterson is appealing his conviction; if successful, he will become eligible for parole after 25 years.
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