Ashton Kutcher Says He’d Trust Danny Masterson With His and Mila Kunis’ Children, Letter to Judge States (Exclusive)

Ashton Kutcher is vouching for his friend Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday for two counts of rape.

In a character letter addressed to the judge and obtained by The Messenger, the actor detailed his 25-year friendship with Masterson and explained why he's not "an ongoing harm to society."

"As a friend, Danny has been nothing but a positive influence on me," Kutcher, who starred alongside Masterson on That '70s Show for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006. "He's an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being. Over 25 year relationship I don't ever recall him lying to me. He's taught me about being direct and confronting issues in life and relationships head-on, resolving them, and moving forward. Danny is a person that is consistently there for you when you need him. We've traveled around the world together, raised our daughters together, and shared countless family moments. Not only is he a good friend to me I've witnessed him be a good friend to others and the kind of brother others would be lucky to have."

He continued: "As a role model, Danny has consistently been an excellent one. I attribute not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to Danny. Any time that we were to meet someone or interact with someone who was on drugs, or did drugs, he made it clear that that wouldn't be a good person to be friends with. And for me, that was an implication that if I were to do drugs, he wouldn't want to be friends with me, which is something I never would want to risk or jeopardize. I am grateful to him for that positive peer pressure."

Kutcher went on to describe Masterson's ability to be a "hands-on-dad," saying that he's "among few people that I would trust to be alone" with his two children he shares with wife Mila Kunis.

"Danny had his daughter a year before I had mine," Kutcher wrote. "He set a standard of being a hands on dad. We have spent countless hours together with our kids and he is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter. He's also a dedicated and loyal husband with unwavering commitment to his wife."

"While I'm aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice," he concluded. "I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would a tertiary injustice in and of itself."

On Thursday, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and he must register as a sex offender.

Masterson was given two consecutive counts of 15 years, with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo telling the actor: "Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim."

Masterson was also given a credit of 100 days already served and 15 days for his conduct. Restitution for victims will be discussed at a later court date.

The actor's wife Bijou Phillips was noticeably distraught during Thursday's hearing, for which The Messenger was present in the courtroom. She cried off and on as victims read impact statements and the judge denied Masterson's request for a new trial.

Masterson was found guilty on two counts of forcible rape on June 1. Although he was charged with a third count that alleged he had raped his former girlfriend in November 2001, the seven-woman, five-man jury was deadlocked on a verdict for the third count after deliberating for eight days.