SANTA FE, N.M. — Timothy Busfield, an actor widely recognized for his performance in 'West Wing' and 'Field of Dreams,' has been indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13. This serious development comes following allegations related to Busfield's duties as a director for the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady' between 2022 and 2024, as announced by a local prosecutor.
Busfield, who has denied the allegations outlined in an initial complaint filed by authorities, stated through his lawyer that he is prepared to challenge the charges vigorously at every step of the legal process. On January 20, he had turned himself in on related offenses and was subsequently released on bail following a judge's ruling that deemed no pattern of prior misconduct had been established.
Assistant District Attorney Sam Bregman took to social media to announce the indictment, which allows the case to advance towards a potential trial without necessitating a preliminary hearing on evidence. Larry Stein, Busfield's attorney, noted that the grand jury did not support additional grooming charges that prosecutors had sought, leaving some ambiguity regarding the specific accusations brought forth.
The case centers on claims that Busfield engaged in inappropriate contact with children, with the complaint detailing incidents of him touching the private areas of one child on multiple occasions. Initial statements from the boys involved appeared to suggest Busfield had not touched them inappropriately, though further investigation led to concerns that their parents might have influenced their accounts. Contrarily, the prosecution claims substantial proof of abusive conduct supported by medical evaluations and testimony from a therapist,
Each indictment carries a possible penalty of six years in prison, which could be enhanced if linked to a sexual offense. Busfield remains a prominent figure in the acting community, well-known for his roles in several acclaimed projects, including 'Thirtysomething.'
Busfield, who has denied the allegations outlined in an initial complaint filed by authorities, stated through his lawyer that he is prepared to challenge the charges vigorously at every step of the legal process. On January 20, he had turned himself in on related offenses and was subsequently released on bail following a judge's ruling that deemed no pattern of prior misconduct had been established.
Assistant District Attorney Sam Bregman took to social media to announce the indictment, which allows the case to advance towards a potential trial without necessitating a preliminary hearing on evidence. Larry Stein, Busfield's attorney, noted that the grand jury did not support additional grooming charges that prosecutors had sought, leaving some ambiguity regarding the specific accusations brought forth.
The case centers on claims that Busfield engaged in inappropriate contact with children, with the complaint detailing incidents of him touching the private areas of one child on multiple occasions. Initial statements from the boys involved appeared to suggest Busfield had not touched them inappropriately, though further investigation led to concerns that their parents might have influenced their accounts. Contrarily, the prosecution claims substantial proof of abusive conduct supported by medical evaluations and testimony from a therapist,
Each indictment carries a possible penalty of six years in prison, which could be enhanced if linked to a sexual offense. Busfield remains a prominent figure in the acting community, well-known for his roles in several acclaimed projects, including 'Thirtysomething.'
