Timothy Busfield indicted: What are the abuse allegations against the actor?

Timothy Busfield is facing new legal trouble after a New Mexico grand jury returned an indictment related to allegations of child sexual abuse. Prosecutors say the case will now move through the court system as Busfield awaits trial. His legal team, meanwhile, insists the charges cannot be proven.


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What charges has Timothy Busfield been indicted on?

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced on Friday, Feb. 6, that a grand jury indicted Busfield, 68, on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. Court documents show all four charges are third-degree felonies.

“As with all criminal proceedings, Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Bregman said in a statement shared on social media. "This case will proceed through the judicial process and is expected to move forward to trial."

The Special Victims Unit of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case. Bregman emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority for his office.

Busfield is best known for his roles on The West Wing, Thirtysomething, and in the film Field of Dreams. He has been married to actor Melissa Gilbert since 2013, as per a report by Fox News and People.


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What do prosecutors say about the case?

According to the district attorney’s office, the indictment follows allegations that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct involving 11-year-old twin boys. Authorities allege the incidents occurred while Busfield was working as a director on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady, as per a report by Fox News and People.

An arrest warrant states that one of the twins claimed an incident happened while he was alone with Busfield in a bedroom on set, alleging he was touched over his clothes. Hospital professionals later told the parents the children showed signs of being “groomed,” according to the warrant.

How has Busfield responded to the allegations?

Busfield has denied the claims and is “determined to clear his name,” according to his civil attorney Stanton “Larry” Stein. Responding to the indictment, Stein said it “was not unexpected.”

“As the saying goes, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich,” Stein said. "What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial. The detention hearing exposed fatal weaknesses in the State’s evidence — gaps that no amount of charging decisions can cure. This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law. Mr. Busfield will fight these charges at every stage and looks forward to testing the State’s case in open court — where evidence matters — not behind closed doors."

He added that the detention hearing exposed “fatal weaknesses” in the state’s evidence and said Busfield would fight the charges “at every stage.”

What happened after Busfield’s arrest?

Busfield surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13, four days after Albuquerque police issued a warrant for his arrest. He was initially held without bail on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, as per a report by Fox News and People.

He was released from custody on Jan. 20 under New Mexico’s rules allowing release on recognizance. Judge Murphy authorized his release with conditions, stating, “You’re authorized for release on your own recognizance with the conditions that you appear at all future court settings. You have not violated any laws.”

Busfield was also ordered not to contact witnesses or have contact with children under 18, as per a report by Fox News and People.

FAQs

What is Timothy Busfield charged with?
Four felony counts of criminal sexual contact of a child.

Is Busfield currently in jail?
No. He was released on Jan. 20 and is awaiting trial under court-ordered conditions.