Actor Timothy Busfield Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Busfield denies allegations, attorney calls case "fundamentally unsound"

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A grand jury has indicted actor Timothy Busfield on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, stemming from accusations that he inappropriately touched a child actor on the set of the TV show "The Cleaning Lady" in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Busfield was arrested in January and ordered released by a judge, but the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office has now decided to proceed with the case.

Why it matters

The case against Busfield raises concerns about child safety on television and film sets, as well as the challenges of prosecuting high-profile individuals accused of sexual abuse. The indictment also highlights the ongoing debate around bail reform and the treatment of defendants with no prior criminal history.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, the charges against Busfield stem from accusations that he inappropriately touched a child actor on the set of the TV show "The Cleaning Lady" in Albuquerque. Busfield has denied the allegations when interviewed by investigators. His attorney, Larry Stein, has called the indictment "not unexpected" but "deeply concerning", stating that the case is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

  • Busfield was arrested in January 2026.
  • A judge ordered Busfield's release on his own recognizance pending trial in January 2026.
  • The grand jury indictment was handed down on February 6, 2026.

The players

Timothy Busfield

An actor known for his roles in shows like "The West Wing", who has been indicted on child sex abuse charges.

Sam Bregman

The Bernalillo County District Attorney, who emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority for his office.

Larry Stein

An attorney for Timothy Busfield, who has called the indictment "not unexpected" but "deeply concerning", stating that the case is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

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What they’re saying

“This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law. Mr. Busfield will fight these charges at every stage and looks forward to testing the State's case in open court — where evidence matters — not behind closed doors.”

— Larry Stein, Attorney for Timothy Busfield (ABC News)

“District Attorney Sam Bregman emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority for his office. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office remains committed to doing everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims.”

— Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney (wwjb.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Timothy Busfield to remain free on his own recognizance pending trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of prosecuting high-profile individuals accused of sexual abuse, as well as the need to ensure child safety on television and film sets. It also raises questions about the balance between protecting victims and ensuring due process for defendants.