ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A grand jury in Bernalillo County has formally indicted Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child, District Attorney Sam Bregman announced on Friday, 6 February 2026.
The indictment follows Busfield’s arrest last month in connection with allegations involving two boys on the set of a production he was directing in New Mexico. The 68-year-old filmmaker, widely recognized for his roles in Thirtysomething, The West Wing, and Field of Dreams, has maintained his innocence through legal counsel. Recent reports indicate that police audio exists in which the alleged victims purportedly deny inappropriate contact, though prosecutors moved forward with the grand jury presentation this week.
Career Fallout and Recasting
The legal proceedings have triggered immediate repercussions within the entertainment industry. Major networks and production houses have begun distancing themselves from the veteran actor:
- Law & Order: SVU: NBC has reportedly shelved an upcoming guest appearance by Busfield. The role has since been recast with actor David Zayas, and the episode is being reshot to remove Busfield’s likeness.
- Production Deals: Industry insiders report that several directing contracts and development deals involving Busfield have been terminated or suspended indefinitely following the Friday indictment.
Legal Status
District Attorney Sam Bregman emphasized that while the charges are severe, the judicial process remains in its early stages. “As with all criminal proceedings, Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Bregman stated in a social media post confirming the four-count indictment.
Busfield, who won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1991 for his portrayal of Elliot Weston on Thirtysomething, had recently been active as a director for various television procedurals. He surrendered to New Mexico authorities earlier this year after an initial warrant was issued and is currently navigating the pre-trial phase of the case.
No trial date has been set as of 6 February 2026. If convicted on all counts, the actor faces significant prison time under New Mexico’s sentencing guidelines for crimes involving minors.