Timothy Busfield Faces 2027 Trial for Child Sex Abuse Charges

The West Wing actor was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child under 13 in New Mexico.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:24pm

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Timothy Busfield, the actor known for his role on The West Wing, is facing a trial scheduled for May 2027 after being indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child under 13. The charges stem from alleged incidents in October 2022 and September 2023 in New Mexico. Busfield has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer claims the prosecution is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

Why it matters

The high-profile case against a well-known actor raises concerns about child safety and the judicial process in handling such sensitive allegations. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing child sexual abuse, particularly when powerful figures are accused.

The details

Busfield, 68, was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (child under 13), all third-degree felonies. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in February 2026. Busfield's lawyer claims the evidence against him is weak and the prosecution appears driven by factors other than the facts. After being released on his own recognizance, Busfield has been ordered to follow certain conditions, including no contact with the alleged victims or their families, no unsupervised contact with minors, and supervision by Pretrial Services.

  • Busfield was indicted by a grand jury on February 6, 2026.
  • Busfield pleaded not guilty to the charges on February 10, 2026.
  • Busfield's trial is scheduled to begin in May 2027 and last three weeks.

The players

Timothy Busfield

A 68-year-old actor known for his role on the TV series The West Wing, who is facing four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child under 13.

Amber Fayerberg

Busfield's criminal defense attorney.

Sam Bregman

The Bernalillo County District Attorney who announced the indictment against Busfield.

Melissa Gilbert

Busfield's wife, who was present at the hearing where he was released on his own recognizance.

Stanton "Larry" Stein

Busfield's lawyer who claims the prosecution's case is "fundamentally unsound" and cannot be proven at trial.

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What they’re saying

“The indictment was not unexpected.”

— Stanton "Larry" Stein, Busfield's lawyer (PEOPLE)

“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. The detention hearing exposed fatal weaknesses in the State's evidence — gaps that no amount of charging decisions can cure. This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law.”

— Stanton "Larry" Stein, Busfield's lawyer (PEOPLE)

“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.”

— Stanton "Larry" Stein, Busfield's lawyer (PEOPLE)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Busfield to remain out on his own recognizance or order him to be detained until the trial begins in May 2027.

The takeaway

This high-profile case against a well-known actor highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing allegations of child sexual abuse, particularly when powerful figures are accused. It raises questions about the strength of the prosecution's evidence and the judicial process in handling such sensitive cases.