Actor and director Timothy Busfield is currently fighting to secure his release from custody as New Mexico prosecutors push to keep him jailed ahead of trial on felony child sex abuse charges. Busfield’s legal team argues that the state lacks credible evidence to justify pre-trial detention and is inaccurately painting his voluntary surrender as a sign of dangerousness.
In a new court filing submitted on Tuesday, January 13, Busfield’s attorneys stated, “The State’s attempt to transform responsible self-surrender into aggravating conduct only underscores the absence of genuine evidence of dangerousness.” The opposition brief, submitted by Albuquerque attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Dodd, challenges the prosecution’s motion to deny Busfield’s bond, claiming that the state’s case has already crumbled under independent scrutiny.
Busfield, 68, is facing up to ten years in state prison if convicted on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse. Prosecutors allege that he engaged in misconduct with two brothers born in 2014 who appeared as actors on episodes of “The Cleaning Lady,” a series that Busfield directed while filming in Albuquerque.
Following the issuance of an arrest warrant, Busfield traveled to New Mexico and surrendered to authorities on January 13. He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bond. Busfield appeared remotely in Judge Felicia Blea-Rivera’s courtroom on January 14 but did not enter a plea. On the same day, he was dropped by his long-time agency Innovative Artists.
In addition to disputing the allegations, Busfield’s legal team submitted numerous letters of support from family members and colleagues. Statements from “Thirtysomething” co-stars Ken Olin, Peter Horton, and Patricia Wellig Olin were included, all vouching for Busfield’s character and integrity. A clinical assessment conducted on January 15 also indicated that Busfield did not exhibit any risk factors and was likely to comply with any supervision requirements if released.
Busfield has vehemently denied the allegations, stating on January 13, “I did not do anything to those little boys.” A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for January 20 in the District Court, where Busfield and his legal team will continue to fight for his release.
