Update 4/15/19 2 p.m.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has said additional victims have been identified following the arrest of 52-year-old Gregory Scott Ray of Buellton for alleged sex crimes committed against three male juveniles in the Santa Ynez Valley.
“Additional victims have been identified. These victims include those who live local and some that are out of the area. It is believed that there are likely additional victims who live outside of the Santa Barbara County area,” according to Kelly Hoover, public information officer.
In the updated information released, Ray traveled to many other counties within California during the course of his employment as an independent contractor and sales consultant for Friesens LLC, a yearbook publishing company. Ray assisted with yearbook consulting at many school campuses in central California, from San Jose to Los Angeles County, and may have attended yearbook camps/conferences.
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Original story
By Raiza Giorgi
Publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
A Buellton resident is in custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division. On March 18, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Santa Ynez Valley High School (SYVHS) regarding alleged inappropriate sexual contact between a student and 52-year-old Greg Scott Ray, a yearbook consultant and salesman who covers Central California. The report stemmed from a conversation a teacher overheard and reported to School Administrators. SYVUHS promptly contacted the Sheriff Office who subsequently initiated an investigation.
Greg Scott Ray
“I have been informed by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department that Greg Ray, a consultant who has worked with the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School yearbook class, has been arrested based on allegations of inappropriate physical contact with minor students and, given the severity of the allegations, I want to be sure that members of our school community are informed,” said SYVUHSD Superintendent Scott Cory.
Cory added Ray has worked on the campus intermittently for seven years, in addition to working in other school districts. Principal Mark Swanitz was informed March 18, 2019 of alleged inappropriate physical behavior between Mr. Ray and a minor student and he took immediate action to notify law enforcement who promptly initiated an investigation.
“I want to assure you that Mr. Ray is no longer working in our district and is not allowed on campus. I have been assured by law enforcement that his employer has been notified,” Cory said.
Ray worked as an independent sales contractor for Friesens Corporation, a printer company that dealt in yearbooks and other products. Friensens was made aware of the allegations.
“Friesens is deeply troubled by those allegations. That individual was not an employee of Friesens Corporation. We have taken immediate action to terminate his independent sales contract and we are in communication with all schools with whom he dealt. Our thoughts go out to those who are affected by this,” said Chad Friensens, in a statement written to the SYV Star.
The investigation revealed that Ray was using a social media app as a way to meet and have sexual contact with young males. Through the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s detectives confirmed he had inappropriate sexual contact with three known male victims, ages 13 to 17 in the Santa Ynez Valley. At this time, it appears the introductions occurred through the app and Ray reached out to the victims multiple times throughout the course of several years. While the case is still under investigation, there is no information at this time to indicate the sexual contacts occurred on campus.
This morning, April 9, 2019, Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at Ray’s residence in Buellton and he was subsequently arrested. Ray was booked at the Jail on various sex related charges involving minors. His bail is set one million dollars.
Detectives have determined that Ray was using the social media app for many years and there is a concern that there may be more victims. If you have been victimized, know of any potential victims or have information related to the investigation, you are asked to please call the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150. To leave an anonymous tip, please call 805-681-4171 or go to our website at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.
Due to the active investigation involving minors, the Sheriff’s Department is not able to release additional info at this time.
