Renowned actor Timothy Busfield, known for roles in popular shows like West Wing and Field of Dreams, is facing serious legal trouble. A grand jury in New Mexico has indicted him on four counts of criminal sexual contact involving a child under 13 years old. These charges stem from his time as a director on the TV series The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024.
Busfield has vehemently denied these accusations, which were initially brought forward by law enforcement and have now led to a formal indictment. His defense attorney has stated that Busfield will vigorously contest the charges through all legal stages.
The indictment was announced by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman in a social media post. Busfield had voluntarily surrendered to authorities in January following related police charges but was released from custody after a judge found no prior history of similar allegations involving children.
Larry Stein, Busfield’s attorney, emphasized that the grand jury did not support grooming charges sought by prosecutors. Stein highlighted deficiencies in the state’s evidence during a detention hearing and expressed confidence in challenging the case in court.
An investigator from the Albuquerque Police Department revealed that a young boy reported instances where Busfield inappropriately touched him when he was seven and eight years old. The indictment specifies multiple occasions where Busfield allegedly applied force to the child’s intimate areas.
Despite Busfield’s release after the initial arrest, prosecutors maintain that the evidence against him is compelling and includes medical findings and testimonies from the children’s therapist. They have pointed to a pattern of grooming behavior and misuse of power spanning three decades.
Each of the four criminal counts carries a potential prison sentence of six years, with the possibility of enhancement for sexual offenses. While acknowledging the severity of the accusations, the judge who granted Busfield’s release did not find sufficient evidence to suggest a risk to public safety.
Timothy Busfield, who is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, has had a successful career in television, earning accolades such as an Emmy for his role in Thirtysomething. The legal proceedings against him are ongoing as he continues to contest the charges.