Hollywood Actor Accused of Using Fake Casting Calls to Target Minors Faces 15 Felony Charges
Hollywood actor and filmmaker Shane Ryan Gledhill has been arrested on 15 felony charges after investigators alleged he used film auditions and production opportunities to gain access to minors, leading to alleged sexual abuse that authorities believe may have occurred over roughly 25 years.
Authorities said the arrest followed a nearly five-year investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation involving minors.
Gledhill, 46, was taken into custody at his Lompoc-area residence and booked into the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail, where he is being held on $500,000 bail.
The case began in late 2021 after a teenager contacted authorities about alleged inappropriate conduct involving Gledhill, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said the report involved events that allegedly occurred when the girl was 15 years old.
After the first report, investigators identified two additional alleged victims and later searched Gledhill’s Lompoc residence in February 2022.
Investigators reviewed thousands of digital files collected during the search and said additional evidence and interviews eventually led to the identification of nine alleged victims, all of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offenses.
According to authorities, Gledhill contacted many of the minors through online casting calls and filmmaking opportunities while using the professional names “Shane Ryan” and “Shane Ryan-Reid.”
Detectives believe he used his filmmaking activities to establish contact with aspiring actors and filmmakers before committing the alleged offenses.
Prosecutors have accused Gledhill of multiple felony offenses, including allegations involving child molestation, rape, forcible sexual assault, contacting a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual offense, possession of child sexual abuse material and providing harmful material to a minor.
Court proceedings are ongoing, and the charges remain allegations.
Investigators said Gledhill maintained an online presence tied to his professional identity, including Instagram accounts under the names @madsincinema, @talkhardcinema, @shaneryanreid, and @shaneryanreidfilms, a Facebook account using the name “Shane Ryan-Reid,” and websites connected to his filmmaking work.
Authorities released Gledhill’s booking photo, saying some individuals who interacted with him as “Shane Ryan” or “Shane Ryan-Reid” may not know his legal name.
Investigators said they are seeking information from any additional potential victims or witnesses.
Before his arrest, Gledhill built a lengthy résumé in independent filmmaking, with credits on numerous independent productions as an actor and producer, as highlighted by LifeZette.
Public film databases list Gledhill as having credits in more than 100 acting roles and more than 150 production projects, with credits involving several established actors, including Shelley Duvall, Richard Dreyfuss, Ed Harris, and Tom Arnold.
Authorities, however, allege he exploited his involvement in filmmaking to gain access to minors through casting opportunities rather than for legitimate professional purposes.
Investigators said the alleged offenses may have occurred over roughly two decades and could involve people from multiple regions, including California’s Central Coast, the Los Angeles area and possibly the East Coast.
The sheriff’s office said the case remains active and is asking anyone with information about Gledhill or his alleged activities to contact investigators.
Continue Scrolling for the Comments
Leave a Comment