Masterson—whose acting credits include That ‘70s Show Dracula 2000—was arrested and charged in 2020 for three counts of rape by force or fear with three separate women on separate occasions between 2001 and 2003, according to records obtained by E! News.
Masterson was arrested by E! News: His client is innocent. “Mr. Masterson is innocent,” In June 2020, his lawyer stated: “and we’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify.”
Masterson maintained innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges in January 2021.
Masterson was a Church of Scientology member, but his accusers were former members of Scientology who have since left the Church. Per the Associated Press, during the preliminary hearing in May 2021, one accuser said she did not initially report her accusation against Masterson to the police out of fear of being labeled a “suppressive person” The Church of Scientology
Masterson’s lawyer later in that week suggested in court that Masterson had an anti-religious bias towards the Church of Scientology.Karin PouwA spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology told The LA Times At the time “Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land, including the reporting of crimes.”