A grand jury in New Mexico has returned an indictment charging actor and director Timothy Busfield with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child, officials confirmed Friday. The charges stem from alleged misconduct during the filming of a television series, and the 68-year-old actor has denied the accusations as the case heads toward trial.
Grand Jury Charges and Allegations
The Bernalillo County grand jury formally charged Busfield with four third-degree felony counts related to criminal sexual contact involving a minor. Prosecutors say the charges are connected to alleged incidents that took place while Busfield worked as a director on the set of the TV show The Cleaning Lady, which was filmed in Albuquerque. Busfield surrendered to authorities earlier this year after an arrest warrant was issued and was later released while awaiting further proceedings.
Sam Bregman, the Bernalillo County District Attorney, announced the indictment through a social media post, emphasizing the office’s focus on child protection. The case will be handled by the DA’s Special Victims Unit as it moves forward.
Actor’s Response and Case Status
Busfield has publicly rejected the allegations, with his legal team describing the indictment as expected and asserting he plans to fight the charges in court. He has not yet entered a plea. His attorney has argued that previous hearings exposed weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, though prosecutors declined to pursue additional grooming charges.
As the legal process continues, the actor remains free under pretrial conditions while the criminal proceedings progress through the New Mexico court system.
Impact and Broader Context
The indictment has triggered notable industry responses, including casting changes on television productions in which Busfield was scheduled to appear. His career, spanning decades and including roles in series like The West Wing and films such as Field of Dreams, now faces intense scrutiny amid the serious criminal allegations.
