Indictment Details
A Bernalillo County grand jury in New Mexico returned an indictment charging actor and producer Timothy Busfield with four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. Prosecutors say the alleged incidents took place while Busfield was working on the set of the TV show The Cleaning Lady, which filmed in Albuquerque. The District Attorney’s office confirmed the indictment and said the Special Victims Unit will prosecute the case. Officials also reminded the public that Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court as the judicial process moves forward.
What the Allegations Say
According to the complaint obtained by local media, one of the alleged victims told a forensic interviewer that inappropriate contact began when he was seven years old and happened multiple times between scenes. That child estimated five or six instances the first year and three or four the next year. A second child also reported being touched, though the complaint says the type and location of the conduct differed. The allegations are serious and specific enough that an arrest warrant was issued in early January.
Busfield’s Response
Timothy Busfield turned himself in to authorities after the warrant, but he did so following a video statement in which he proclaimed his innocence. In that recorded message he said he would fight the accusations and called them lies. His attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, issued a public statement criticizing the prosecution and the grand jury process, claiming the case is weak and that gaps in the state’s evidence were exposed during a detention hearing. The defense said it plans to test the evidence in open court.
Prosecution’s Stance and Child Protection
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman stated the office is committed to protecting children and pursuing justice for victims. The DA’s Facebook post also noted no further information would be released at this time, a common move in sensitive investigations to avoid compromising the case or the privacy of alleged victims. The Special Victims Unit will handle the prosecution, which signals the office views the allegations as serious and requiring dedicated resources.
Busfield’s Career Background
Timothy Busfield, 68, has a long career in film and television dating back to the early 1980s. His credits include recurring roles on shows like The West Wing and Thirtysomething, and he won an Emmy Award in 1991 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He has also worked as a director and producer on multiple projects. Those professional accomplishments will now be viewed through the lens of these charges as the legal process unfolds.
What Comes Next
The case is expected to move toward trial after preliminary proceedings. Indictment means prosecutors believe there is probable cause to charge Mr. Busfield, but it is not a conviction. Both sides will present evidence, and the court will decide whether the allegations can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a sensitive matter involving minors, so much of the process will be handled with privacy considerations for the alleged victims while the justice system does its work.
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