Timothy Busfield, an actor recognized for his performances in "The West Wing" and "Field of Dreams," has been formally indicted by a grand jury in New Mexico on four criminal counts involving sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, according to a statement released Friday by the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office. These charges relate to his role as a director on the television series "The Cleaning Lady" from 2022 to 2024.
Busfield has consistently denied all allegations brought against him. His defense counsel emphasized the actor's intention to vigorously contest the charges throughout upcoming legal proceedings. The indictment enables the legal process to advance toward trial without necessitating an initial evidentiary hearing in court.
Attorney Larry Stein, representing Busfield, declined to comment on specifics of the sexual contact charges but noted the grand jury did not approve additional grooming charges that prosecutors had sought. Prosecutors have refrained from disclosing the full range of accusations presented to the grand jury.
Busfield surrendered to law enforcement authorities in January following related charges and was subsequently released after a district judge determined there was no documented pattern of similar misconduct or previous allegations involving children. Stein's statement argued that a detention hearing exposed significant shortcomings in the prosecution's evidence, gaps that cannot be remedied merely by formal charges.
According to the original criminal complaint filed by the Albuquerque Police Department, a boy reported that Busfield had touched his intimate areas over his clothing when he was 7 years old and again at age 8. The child's twin also alleged similar contact but delayed reporting due to fear of repercussions. These claims appear in the indictment as repeated instances where Busfield allegedly applied force to a child's intimate parts.
During a detention hearing, defense attorneys highlighted inconsistencies in the children's initial statements, which at first denied inappropriate contact. The defense further alleged that the children's parents may have influenced their accounts following the loss of acting roles on the series.
Conversely, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch has characterized the evidence supporting abuse allegations as strong and detailed, including corroboration from medical reports and therapy sessions with the involved children. Additionally, witnesses have reportedly expressed concerns about retaliation and damage to professional opportunities.
Prosecutors have described a prolonged history spanning approximately thirty years of grooming behaviors and abuse of power attributed to Busfield. Each count carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years, with possible extensions applicable to sexual offenses under state law.
On January 20, a state district judge granted Busfield release, acknowledging the gravity of the charges but concluding that the prosecution had not demonstrated that his continued detention was required to safeguard the public. Busfield remains widely recognized for his acting roles on television and in film, including notable appearances in "Thirtysomething."