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Actor hit with 24 child sex abuse charges accused of luring victims using casting calls

Actor, director and producer Shane Ryan Gledhill has been slapped with 24 felony charges of child sex abuse, including rape, child molestation and forcible sex assault

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Shane Ryan Gledhill is facing 24 felony charges of child sex abuse(Image: Epoch Cinema)

Actor, director and producer Shane Ryan Gledhill is facing 24 felony charges relating to allegations of child sexual abuse. The 46-year-old was arrested on August 3 by Santa Barbara County Sheriff's officials following a five-year investigation which began in 2021.

The California actor and producer is accused of using internet casting calls and film projects to lure his alleged underage victims. The charges include that of rape, child molestation, forcible sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material, and contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex offence.

Authorities said: "Investigators believe Gledhills alleged criminal conduct may have spanned approximately 25 years and involved individuals throughout the Central Coast, the Los Angeles area, and potentially the East Coast through his filmmaking and casting activities."

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The actor and director allegedy lured victims using online casting calls and film projects(Image: Santa Barbara Sheriff)

Police explained that alleged victims may not recognise the actor's legal name as he would often use the names Shane Ryan or Shane Ryan-Reid to contact people in the industry. Cops continued: "The Sheriffs Office is releasing Gledhills booking photograph because detectives believe he often used the professional names Shane Ryan and Shane Ryan-Reid when contacting aspiring actors and filmmakers."

"Individuals who interacted with him under those names may not recognize his legal name. Detectives hope the photograph will assist in identifying additional survivors or witnesses."

He reportedly ran several Instagram accounts, including @madincinema, @talkhardcinema, @shaneryanreid, and @shaneryanreidfilms.

When Gledhill was arrested, he was initially booked on 15 felony charges, but that total has now climbed to 25. Cops had conducted a search of his home in Lompoc, California, and experts examined thousands of digital files.

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Gledhill in Night Cops (2023)(Image: Cinema Epoch)

Cops believe there could be more alleged victims out there, adding: "Based on evidence developed during the investigation, detectives believe there may be additional survivors who have not yet been identified or come forward."

The police investigation into Gledhill began in November 2021, when a 17-year-old reported "suspicious and inappropriate conduct" between her and him that she claimed occurred two years prior.

Officials said: "During the initial investigation, detectives identified two additional survivors. Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified nine survivors, all of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offences."

Gledhill has worked with the likes of Richard Dreyfuss and Shelley Duvall during his career. One film from Gledhill's back catalogue includes the 2009 film Warning!!! Pedophile, which he also co-wrote, produced and directed.

In the film, he plays a pedophile that is released from prison after serving six years for molesting a 12-year-old girl. Another film, called The Victim, follows a girl who is being held accountable for a man's suicide after she accused him of abuse.

Gleshill has a preliminary hearing set for September 9 in Santa Barbara.

If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, http://www.victimsupport.org.uk.

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