In brief
State District Judge Joseph Montano dismissed four counts of criminal sexual contact against Timothy Busfield after reviewing procedural mistakes made during the indictment process. Busfield, known for his roles in "The West Wing" and "Field of Dreams", had been accused of inappropriate conduct with a child actor on the Fox series "The Cleaning Lady". While the prosecutor’s office is reassessing how to proceed, the actor’s defence team supplied testimonial letters and a polygraph test to support his innocence. The dismissal highlights the importance of fair grand jury procedures in cases involving minors and underscores the legal scrutiny surrounding child protection on set.
In a decision announced on Friday, State District Judge Joseph Montano threw out four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child against Emmy‑winning actor Timothy Busfield, citing procedural mistakes in the prosecution’s case.
Busfield, well known for roles in "The West Wing" and "Field of Dreams", had been indicted in February on charges that stemmed from allegations by child actors co‑working on the Fox series "The Cleaning Lady". He has denied all accusations.
The judge said the prosecutor "failed to act in a fair and impartial manner" and that errors undermined the grand jury process, which led to a dismissal.
The Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney in Bernalillo County said it is reviewing options on how to proceed. Busfield had initially been arrested on a warrant in January for two counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of child abuse, but was released pending trial.
The indictment described alleged contact with a boy under 13 between October 2022 and September 2023, citing "intimate parts" contact. Busfield’s defence supplied over 70 testimonial letters and a passed polygraph test.
While prosecutors claimed the allegations were rooted in "grooming and sexual abuse," Busfield’s team argues the accusations were retaliatory after the actors were fired from the production.
The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of child protection on set and highlights the legal challenges of prosecuting allegations involving minors.
