SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA — August 5, 2026 – A five-year investigation into the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of minors has
resulted in the arrest of a Lompoc man now sitting behind bars and facing 15 felony
charges.
Shane Ryan Gledhill, 46, of Lompoc is accused of committing a series of sexual
offenses involving children after multiple survivors came forward with allegations
spanning several years.
The investigation began in November 2021 when a 17-year-old reported suspicious and
inappropriate conduct that allegedly occurred when she was 15 years old. As detectives
pursued the case, they identified two additional survivors during the early stages of the
investigation. Over time, that number grew to nine alleged survivors, all of whom were
minors when the reported offenses took place.
According to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer
Raquel Zick, 46-year-old Lompoc resident Shane Ryan Gledhill allegedly made
contact with multiple minors through online casting calls and filmmaking projects
using the professional names Shane Ryan and Shane Ryan-Reidt; while recruiting
participants.
As part of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant and searched
Gledhill’s residence on Feb. 23, 2022. During the search, investigators seized thousands of digital files that were subjected to an extensive forensic examination.
Gledhill allegedly maintained an online presence using several social media accounts,
including the Instagram handles madsincinema, talkhardcinema, and shaneryanreid.
Detectives further believe he used the Facebook name Shane Ryan-Reid and operated websites associated with his film making activities.
The lengthy investigation culminated on August 3rd, when sheriff’s detectives served an
arrest warrant at Gledhill’s Lompoc residence and took him into custody.
Gledhill was booked into the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail where he was
charged with 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.
He remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.
– by F. Scott Faulkner
Photo courtesy of Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
