Emmy award-winning actor Timothy Busfield has made his first public court appearance in New Mexico, facing a series of serious child sex abuse charges. The 68-year-old former star of The West Wing looked sombre as he stood before a judge in an orange prison jumpsuit, his hands clasped in front of him.
Court Denies Bail in Brief Hearing
During a brief two-minute hearing at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Judge Felicia Blea-Rivera informed Busfield he would be held without bond. The ruling came after prosecutors filed a motion seeking to prevent his release as the case is transferred to a Second Judicial District Court judge.
'You will continue to be held without bond,' Judge Blea-Rivera told the actor. She scheduled his next hearing to take place within the next five business days.
Details of the Serious Allegations
The actor is confronting multiple felony charges. These include two counts of sexually assaulting twin boys on the set of the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as director and executive producer. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2022 and 2024.
This week, a new charge was filed, accusing Busfield of sexually abusing a 16-year-old female victim. According to court documents, the alleged assault happened several years ago at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, which Busfield founded. The motion states that during an audition, Busfield allegedly kissed the teenager and put his hands down her pants.
The investigation began in November 2024 after staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported concerns about potential grooming of seven-year-old children on the set of The Cleaning Lady. An arrest warrant alleges Busfield told the children to call him 'Uncle Tim' and would tickle them against their wishes.
Busfield's Defence and Police Raid
Busfield has vehemently denied all accusations. In a video shared with TMZ, recorded before he turned himself in to Albuquerque police on Saturday, he stated, 'I will confront these lies... They're all lies, and I did not do anything.' He claimed he drove 2,000 miles to surrender voluntarily.
His lawyer, Larry Stein, told the Daily Mail that Busfield passed an independent polygraph examination regarding the allegations. Busfield reportedly told detectives the claims were a revenge plot by the twins' parents after they were not invited back to the show.
As Busfield surrendered in New Mexico, heavily armed US Marshals raided his home in Highland Lake, New York, which he shares with his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert. Agents used a battering ram to enter the property during the 30-minute operation, though no one was apprehended.
According to an arrest warrant, Gilbert was listening on speakerphone when Busfield was interviewed by police about the allegations back in November 2025. The actor is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County as the legal proceedings continue.
