Santa Fe, N.M. (AP) – Timothy Busfield, acclaimed actor from 'The West Wing' and 'Field of Dreams', has been charged by a New Mexico grand jury with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, as reported by local prosecutors. The allegations are linked to Busfield's directorial role in the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady' during 2022 to 2024. Busfield categorically denies these allegations, and his attorney has stated that they will contest the charges at every stage of the proceedings.
The indictment was announced via social media by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. In January, Busfield surrendered to authorities and was initially released after a judge determined there was insufficient evidence to suggest a pattern of criminal conduct involving children. The latest indictments enable the legal case to move forward without necessitating a preliminary courtroom hearing.
Lawyer Larry Stein mentioned that the grand jury did not endorse additional grooming charges that prosecutors had sought, and highlighted weaknesses in the evidence presented against Busfield. However, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch contended that the evidence includes specific allegations corroborated by medical findings and testimonies from therapists.
The indictment emphasizes that Busfield is accused of 'touching or applying force to the intimate parts' of at least one of the boys multiple times. Investigators from the Albuquerque Police Department noted that one boy reported inappropriate contact, which he described as happening over his clothing in separate incidents when he was 7 and 8 years old. Concerns were raised during earlier police interviews about the boys having initially said there was no inappropriate touching, which the defense claimed indicated external influence from their parents due to lost employment on the show.
The nature of the allegations and their serious implications have led to Busfield facing potential prison sentences of up to six years for each count, especially as the charges involve sexual offenses. His past work includes notable performances in television and film, making the ongoing developments of this case a significant subject of public and media interest.
The indictment was announced via social media by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. In January, Busfield surrendered to authorities and was initially released after a judge determined there was insufficient evidence to suggest a pattern of criminal conduct involving children. The latest indictments enable the legal case to move forward without necessitating a preliminary courtroom hearing.
Lawyer Larry Stein mentioned that the grand jury did not endorse additional grooming charges that prosecutors had sought, and highlighted weaknesses in the evidence presented against Busfield. However, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch contended that the evidence includes specific allegations corroborated by medical findings and testimonies from therapists.
The indictment emphasizes that Busfield is accused of 'touching or applying force to the intimate parts' of at least one of the boys multiple times. Investigators from the Albuquerque Police Department noted that one boy reported inappropriate contact, which he described as happening over his clothing in separate incidents when he was 7 and 8 years old. Concerns were raised during earlier police interviews about the boys having initially said there was no inappropriate touching, which the defense claimed indicated external influence from their parents due to lost employment on the show.
The nature of the allegations and their serious implications have led to Busfield facing potential prison sentences of up to six years for each count, especially as the charges involve sexual offenses. His past work includes notable performances in television and film, making the ongoing developments of this case a significant subject of public and media interest.
