Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of support for Danny Masterson, praising his anti-drug attitude after the actor was found guilty of raping 2 women who said he drugged them

• Fifty people wrote letters to a judge asking for leniency in Danny Masterson's sentencing for rape.
• Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote individual letters praising Masterson's character.

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis penned letters of support for their former "That 70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson, 47, after he was found guilty of raping two women earlier this year.

Los Angeles Superior court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday after a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape in May.

Over the course of two trials, three women, all of whom are former Scientologists, testified that Masterson, who is also a prominent Scientologist, drugged them and raped them between 2001 and 2003, alleging the Church of Scientology later silenced their accusations.

Kutcher and Kunis, who are married, submitted individual letters praising Masterson's character and asking Olmedo for leniency when sentencing Masterson, legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff first reported.

In his letter, obtained by Cuniff, Kutcher identified himself as an actor, investor, philanthropist, and "most importantly a father" as he wrote admiringly of Masterson relationship with his 9-year-old daughter whom he shares with wife Bijou Phillips.

Kutcher said he met Masterson when he was 20 and the two became instant friends.

"We've traveled around the world together, raised our daughters together and shared countless family moments," Kutcher wrote, adding that Masterson is an "excellent role model."

Kunis also remarked on Masterson's family values, saying his role as a husband and father to his daughter and wife has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

"Witnessing his interactions with his daughter has been heartwarming and enlightening," Kunis added.

Both Kutcher and Kunis also praised Masterson's anti-drug attitude, suggesting they were able to avoid the "typical Hollywood life of drugs" because of their friendship with Masterson.

Kunis highlighted Masterson's "unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs," while Kutcher said he was "grateful" that Masterson applied "positive peer pressure" by indicating he wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who uses drugs.

Masterson's first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors were deadlocked on all three counts. The second time, prosecutors focused more on accusations that Masterson had drugged the women he raped, The Associated Press reported at the time. Masterson has maintained his innocence throughout.

Kutcher said in his letter that he was aware Masterson had been found guilty of two counts of rape and that "the victims have a great desire for justice," but asked the judge for leniency for Masterson based on his character.

"Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me," Kunis wrote.

Kutcher relayed an anecdote in which he said he and Masterson were out getting pizza when they saw a man berating his girlfriend. Masterson, Kutcher said, was the first person to jump to the girl's defense.

"He is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter," Kutcher wrote. "He's also a dedicated and loyal husband with unwavering commitment to his wife"

Lawyers for Masterson submitted the couple's letters, alongside nearly 50 additional testimonials, and asked the judge to give Masterson concurrent sentences for the two counts, which would have made him eligible for parole in 15 years instead of 30 years, Cuniff reported.

Olmedo rejected Masterson's attorneys' request, speaking directly to the actor in court on Thursday and telling him, "you are not the victim here."

Among the other prominent figures who wrote letters of support for Masterson include: actor and fellow Scientologist Giovanni Ribisi; actor Billy Baldwin, who is married to Masterson's wife's half-sister; and actors Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith who played Kitty and Red Foreman on "That 70s Show," Cuniff reported.

Representatives for Kunis and Kutcher didn't respond to Insider's request for comment.