Actor Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in West Wing and Field of Dreams, faces an indictment by a grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under age 13 in New Mexico. The charges stem from his time as a director on the TV series The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024.

Busfield has refuted the allegations, which were initially brought to light by police and is set to contest the charges with the support of his defense attorney. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman made the announcement of the indictment on social media.

Previously, Busfield surrendered to authorities in January on related charges but was later released from custody by a judge who did not find a history of similar allegations involving children in Busfield’s past. The grand jury’s decision to indict allows the legal proceedings against Busfield to advance without a preliminary court hearing.

Busfield’s lawyer, Larry Stein, addressed the indictment, noting that the grand jury did not support grooming charges sought by the prosecutors. Stein emphasized that critical weaknesses in the state’s evidence were revealed during a detention hearing.

According to Stein, Busfield is prepared to challenge the charges at every phase and is eager to present his case in court openly. An investigator from the Albuquerque Police Department disclosed that a boy alleged Busfield touched his private areas when he was seven and eight years old. The boy’s twin also reported a similar incident but delayed speaking out due to fear of repercussions.

The indictment, lodged in state District Court, accuses Busfield of inappropriate touching on multiple occasions. Claims of abuse have been supported by medical findings and the boys’ therapist, as mentioned by Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch.

Actor released after initial arrest

Prosecutors have highlighted alleged grooming and abuse of power by Busfield over a span of three decades. Each charge in the indictment carries a potential prison term of six years, with the possibility of enhancement for sexual offenses.

Despite the nature of the accusations involving children, the judge who released Busfield on Jan. 20 stated that prosecutors did not demonstrate a risk to public safety if Busfield were to be freed pending trial. Busfield’s spouse, Melissa Gilbert, is a fellow actor, and he is recognized for his performances in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, which earned him an Emmy award in 1991.