In brief
Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in 'The West Wing' and 'Field of Dreams', has been indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor in New Mexico. The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred while he was directing the series 'The Cleaning Lady' from 2022 to 2024. Busfield, who has denied the allegations, is preparing to challenge the accusations in court amid claims of ineffective evidence from his legal team, while prosecutors contend that there was strong support for the allegations.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted by a grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under age 13, as announced by a New Mexico prosecutor on Friday. The allegations stem from Busfield's role as a director on the set of the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady' during its filming from 2022 to 2024. Busfield, who has vehemently denied the accusations, is prepared to contest the charges in court.Busfield initially surrendered to authorities in January related to the allegations and was subsequently released from custody after a judge found no prior indications of criminal conduct involving children. The grand jury's indictment allows the case to progress to a potential trial without a preliminary hearing.Lawyers for Busfield assert that weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence were highlighted during a prior detention hearing, suggesting that their case could be fundamentally flawed. However, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch described the evidence against Busfield as strong and detailed, with support from medical findings and the statements of therapists.Busfield has garnered fame for his performances in popular shows and movies, yet the charges he faces present a serious potential consequence with each count carrying a possible sentence of six years in prison. Legal proceedings continue as the actor maintains his innocence and readiness to confront the charges against him in open court.
