A California actor and producer faces 24 felony charges after investigators say he used online casting sites to contact minors as part of an alleged child sex abuse scheme that spanned decades.
Shane Ryan Gledhill, 46, of Lompoc, was arrested Aug. 3 after Santa Barbara County Sheriff's detectives investigated exploitation allegations for nearly five years.
Gledhill, whose work included actors Shelley Duvall, Tom Arnold, Richard Dreyfuss, and Ed Harris, was initially arrested on 15 felony charges. That number has now risen to 24.
Timothy Busfield has been charged with child sex abuse in New Mexico.
The investigation began in November 2021 when a 17-year-old victim contacted Santa Barbara County Sheriff's investigators about what they described as suspicious and inappropriate behavior by Gledhill when she was 15, authorities said.
According to the sheriff's office, the initial tip led to an investigation that identified nine survivors. All were minors at the time of the alleged crimes.
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In February 2022, investigators executed a warrant to search his home in Lompoc. Thousands of digital files were seized and subjected to a thorough forensic analysis.
The sheriff's office said the investigation uncovered a scheme in which Gledhill allegedly used online casting calls and film production projects to contact aspiring young actors.
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Gledhill is currently being held in the Santa Barbara County Jail in California.
This detail prompted authorities to release his photograph taken at the time of his arrest.
«"The Sheriff's Office is releasing a mugshot of Gledhill taken at the time of his arrest because detectives believe he frequently used the professional names 'Shane Ryan' and 'Shane Ryan-Reid' when approaching aspiring actors and filmmakers.".
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The press release continued: "Those who communicated with him under these names may not know his real name. Detectives hope the photograph will help identify additional survivors or witnesses.".
Gledhill currently faces 24 felony charges.
Charges against Gledhill include alleged crimes of child molestation, rape, forcible sexual assault, contact with a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual offense, possession of child sexual exploitation material, and providing material dangerous to minors.
Gledhill was arrested at his home in Lompoc on a warrant and booked into the Northern County Jail. His bail was set at $2 million.
«"Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, detectives believe there may be additional survivors who have not yet been identified or who have not yet come forward," the press release said.
Investigators believe the alleged crimes may have spanned approximately 25 years, with potential victims or witnesses located not only along California's central coast, but also in the Los Angeles area and on the East Coast.
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Gledhill's preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 9 in the Lompoc Division of Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Original article: The actor has been charged with 24 counts of felony murder in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a child.