California Actor and Producer Faces 24 Felony Counts in Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Investigation

Authorities in Santa Barbara County have charged Shane Ryan Gledhill, a 46-year-old actor and producer from Lompoc, California, with 24 felony counts stemming from accusations of child sexual abuse. The charges represent an expansion from the initial 15 felonies filed when Gledhill was arrested on August 3 following nearly five years of investigative work by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives.

Gledhill’s career involved work on projects associated with actors including Shelley Duvall, Tom Arnold, Richard Dreyfuss and Ed Harris. The investigation commenced in November 2021 when a 17-year-old victim came forward to law enforcement regarding inappropriate conduct allegedly perpetrated by Gledhill when she was 15 years old.

That initial complaint prompted a comprehensive investigation that ultimately identified nine survivors, all of whom were minors when the alleged abuse occurred. In February 2022, detectives executed a search warrant at Gledhill’s residence, seizing thousands of digital files that underwent extensive forensic examination.

Investigators determined that Gledhill allegedly exploited online casting calls and film projects to make contact with aspiring young actors. The Sheriff’s Office released his booking photograph and noted that Gledhill frequently used the professional names “Shane Ryan” and “Shane Ryan-Reid” when contacting potential victims and industry hopefuls.

The felony charges include child molestation, rape, forcible sexual assault, contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, possession of child sexual abuse material and providing harmful matter to a minor. Gledhill is being held at Northern Branch Jail with bail set at $2 million.

Detectives believe the alleged conduct spans approximately 25 years and may involve additional unidentified survivors located along California’s Central Coast, in the Los Angeles area and on the East Coast. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, noting that potential witnesses may have known Gledhill under his professional pseudonyms.

Gledhill is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 9 at Santa Barbara County Superior Court’s Lompoc division. Law enforcement continues to investigate and believes additional victims may emerge as the case progresses.