SANTA FE, N.M. — Actor Timothy Busfield, well-known for his roles in 'West Wing' and 'Field of Dreams', has been indicted on charges of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, according to a New Mexico prosecutor's announcement on Friday.
The accusations stem from his role as a director on the set of the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady' from 2022 to 2024, where he allegedly had inappropriate interactions with minors. Busfield has publicly denied all allegations made against him and his attorney stated plans to contest the charges at every step.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman revealed that the indictment allows the prosecution to move forward without a preliminary hearing on evidence, which could lead to trial proceedings.
Busfield had surrendered to authorities back in January after the police filed charges against him. He was subsequently released after a judge deemed there was no prior pattern of similar allegations against him. The indictment by the grand jury could change the course of the ongoing legal battle.
Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, remarked that the grand jury did not support additional grooming charges that had been proposed by prosecutors. However, the prosecution has claimed their case includes strong evidence of abuse and patterns of grooming behavior spanning over three decades.
Each of the counts faced by Busfield carries a potential six-year prison penalty, with harsher sentencing possible if classified as a sexual offense.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Judge David Murphy previously stated concerns about public safety were not sufficient to deny Busfield bail.
Busfield is recognized for his work not only in 'The West Wing' but also in notable films and television, carving a successful career in the entertainment industry.
