Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on child sex abuse charges

The "West Wing" star denies the allegations and plans to fight the charges in court.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. The charges stem from accusations that Busfield 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 is now proceeding with the case.

Why it matters

The indictment of a high-profile actor on child sex abuse charges raises concerns about the protection of child actors on set and the broader issue of accountability for those in positions of power. The case also highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system when it comes to allegations of this nature.

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," which was filmed in Albuquerque. Busfield has denied the allegations when interviewed by investigators. His attorney has criticized the prosecution, stating that the case is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

  • Busfield was arrested in January 2026.
  • A grand jury indicted Busfield on child sex abuse charges on February 7, 2026.
  • Busfield was ordered released by a judge after a detention hearing in January 2026.

The players

Timothy Busfield

An actor known for his role in the TV series "The West Wing" who has been indicted on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of a child.

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 criticized the prosecution, stating that the case is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

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What they’re saying

“As the saying goes, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial.”

— 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 (wondradio.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Timothy Busfield to be released on bail pending trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting child actors and ensuring accountability for those in positions of power. It also raises questions about the criminal justice system's handling of such sensitive allegations, particularly when high-profile individuals are involved.