A California actor and producer is now facing 24 felony counts in a child sexual abuse case that investigators say may reach back roughly 25 years.
Shane Ryan Gledhill, 46, was arrested at his Lompoc home on August 3 following a nearly five-year investigation. Authorities allege that he used online casting calls and filmmaking projects to make contact with aspiring young actors.
The case began with one teenager speaking up. Investigators now say they have identified nine alleged survivors, all of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offenses.
Here is the current charging update:
Actor charged with 24 felony counts in alleged child sexual abuse case. 🤬
Shane Ryan Gledhill, 46, of Lompoc, was arrested Aug. 3 after Santa Barbara County Sheriff's detectives spent nearly five years investigating accusations of exploitation.https://t.co/4CQabmeZcp
— Jannine.. #MagaMemeQueen ™️ 👑🇺🇸 (@janninereid1) August 15, 2026
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation began in November 2021, when a 17-year-old reported suspicious and inappropriate conduct that allegedly occurred when she was 15.
Detectives initially identified two additional alleged survivors. In February 2022, they searched Gledhill’s Lompoc residence and seized thousands of digital files, which authorities say required an extensive forensic examination.
Over the course of the investigation, that number grew to nine alleged survivors. The sheriff’s office says every one of them was a minor at the time of the alleged conduct.
The agency says Gledhill was arrested at his residence on a warrant and booked into the Northern Branch Jail. Investigators believe his filmmaking and casting activity may have put him in contact with people across the Central Coast, Los Angeles and possibly the East Coast.
This post lays out the scale of what investigators say they have uncovered so far:
California actor and producer Shane Ryan Gledhill has been charged with 24 felony counts in an alleged child sexual abuse case spanning years.
Authorities say he used online casting calls to contact minors.
Nine survivors identified so far; detectives believe there may be… pic.twitter.com/2FpKY83qSO
— Shelley (@ProudArmymom66) August 15, 2026
The alleged method is particularly chilling. Investigators say Gledhill contacted many of the young people through casting calls and film projects, spaces where aspiring actors would naturally expect to meet producers and other industry professionals.
Authorities say he often used the professional names “Shane Ryan” and “Shane Ryan-Reid.” They released his booking photograph because people who encountered him under those names might not recognize his legal name.
Fox News reports that Gledhill was initially booked on 15 felony charges before the total rose to 24. The charges include alleged 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 material to a minor.
The outlet also reports that his bail has been raised to $2 million. Gledhill remains in custody at the Northern Branch Jail.
According to the report, detectives publicly released Gledhill’s booking photograph because aspiring actors and filmmakers may have encountered him under the professional names “Shane Ryan” or “Shane Ryan-Reid” without knowing his legal identity.
Fox also notes that investigators believe the alleged conduct could span roughly 25 years. Authorities are still looking for additional alleged survivors or witnesses with connections to his casting calls and film projects.
A separate update on the expanded charges and bail is below:
Lompoc Filmmaker Charged with 24 Sexual Crimes Against Teen Girls Remains in Jail
A Lompoc man charged with 24 felony counts including forcible rape and other crimes involving seven underage teenaged girls will continued to be held in jail on a $2 million bail.
Shane Ryan… pic.twitter.com/9touZYaC06
— Suhr Majesty (@ULTRA_MAJESTY) August 15, 2026
Detectives believe the alleged conduct may have stretched across California’s Central Coast and the Los Angeles area, with possible contacts on the East Coast through Gledhill’s filmmaking and casting work.
That is why authorities say this investigation is not over. They believe additional alleged survivors or witnesses may still be out there.
Anyone with relevant information can contact Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 805-681-4171 or through the sheriff’s website.
Gledhill has not been convicted, and prosecutors must prove the charges in court. The allegations describe an appalling abuse of access and trust. One young person coming forward gave investigators the opening they needed to uncover a case that authorities now say may span decades.
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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.
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