Timothy Busfield Indicted on Child Sexual Contact Charges as Trial Set for 2027

12th Mar 2026
Actor Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in The West Wing and other television productions, is facing criminal charges in New Mexico after a grand jury indicted him on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact involving a minor. Court records show that Busfield, 68, has been charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child under the age of 13, offences classified as third-degree felonies under New Mexico law. According to court dockets, the case is scheduled for trial in May 2027 in Bernalillo County. Busfield has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies the allegations. Key Legal Takeaways Actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four felony counts of criminal sexual contact involving a minor. Prosecutors allege the offences involve children under the age of 13. Under New Mexico law, the charges are classified as third-degree felonies. Busfield has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations. The trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2027 in Bernalillo County and is expected to last approximately three weeks. The Charges Explained The charges against Busfield relate to criminal sexual contact with a minor, an offence under New Mexico law that generally involves intentional sexual touching of a child for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. When the alleged victim is under the age of 13, the offence may be prosecuted as a third-degree felony, depending on the specific circumstances outlined by prosecutors. Under New Mexico’s sentencing framework, a third-degree felony conviction can carry significant custodial penalties, along with potential registration requirements and other legal consequences determined by the court. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, including that the alleged conduct occurred and that it satisfies the statutory definition of criminal sexual contact under state law. Case Timeline The indictment against Busfield was returned by a Bernalillo County grand jury, charging him with four counts relating to alleged incidents said to have occurred in October 2022 and September 2023, according to court documents. Authorities have stated that the alleged victims were two children aged 11, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed. Busfield surrendered to police in January 2026 following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Albuquerque Police Department. After the indictment was filed, he entered a not-guilty plea in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Court. Busfield subsequently waived his arraignment and certain pretrial appearances, a request granted by the presiding judge. Following a pretrial detention hearing, the court ordered that he be released pending trial under supervision, subject to several conditions, including restrictions on contact with the alleged victims or their families, limits on unsupervised interaction with minors, and monitoring by pretrial services. Under New Mexico criminal procedure, the case will now move through pretrial motions, evidence disclosure and hearings before the trial currently scheduled for May 2027. Legal Context Cases involving alleged sexual offences against minors are prosecuted under established criminal procedures and often involve specialised investigative practices, including victim interviews and evidentiary assessments conducted by law enforcement and prosecutors. A grand jury indictment, such as the one returned in Busfield’s case, indicates that prosecutors presented evidence to jurors who determined that probable cause exists to pursue criminal charges. However, an indictment does not represent a finding of guilt. Defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, and prosecutors must establish each element of the alleged offence beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction to occur. What Happens Next With the trial currently scheduled for May 2027, the case will now move through the remaining pretrial stages of criminal proceedings in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Court. These stages may include pretrial motions, evidentiary challenges, and the exchange of discovery between prosecutors and the defence, which can influence how the case is ultimately presented to a jury. According to court records, the trial is expected to last approximately three weeks if it proceeds as scheduled. The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented at trial and the jury’s determination of whether prosecutors have proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.