Timothy Busfield Released from Jail Before Sex Abuse Trial

A New Mexico judge has ordered the release of actor and director Timothy Busfield ahead of his upcoming trial for sexual abuse charges. Busfield, who surrendered to authorities on January 13, has faced allegations involving sexual contact with a child actor from the television show he directed.

Charges and Allegations Against Timothy Busfield

Timothy Busfield is accused of having inappropriate contact with a child actor, who was 7 and 8 years old during the alleged incidents. The boys, who worked on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a Fox crime drama filmed in Albuquerque, reported that Busfield touched them inappropriately.

• Charges against him include two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
• Each count carries significant prison time, with criminal sexual contact punishable by up to six years.

Judge’s Decision on Release

At a hearing on Tuesday, Judge David A. Murphy granted Busfield’s release. The judge noted the lack of evidence for a pattern of criminal behavior against children and emphasized that there were no past similar allegations against Busfield.

Busfield’s attorney argued that the allegations had severely impacted his career already. Amber Fayerberg stated that Busfield had been “canceled” in less than a week, with his talent agency dropping him and projects altering his involvement.

Additional Allegations and Backstory

The prosecution has presented a history of claims against Busfield. Recently, a man claimed that Busfield kissed his daughter and inappropriately touched her when she was 16, an incident reported to have happened in 2000.

• The B Street Theater, founded by Busfield, conducted an internal investigation but has not disclosed specific findings regarding this claim.
• In 1994, an actress accused Busfield of misconduct on a film set, which was later settled out of court.
• A 2012 incident reported to authorities was also deemed consensual at the time, with no charges filed.

Current Situation and Career Impact

Since the allegations have surfaced, Busfield’s public image has suffered significantly. He has been removed from upcoming projects, and his agency no longer represents him. Throughout the difficult circumstances, he maintains his innocence.

His most notable roles include appearances in acclaimed series such as “Thirtysomething” and “The West Wing.” In recent years, Busfield has focused on directing, including episodes of various popular shows.

As the trial date approaches, the public and media attention on Timothy Busfield will likely continue, especially as allegations of sexual abuse remain highly sensitive topics in the industry.

The unfolding case serves as a reminder of the challenges facing individuals in the public eye, particularly as accusations can drastically alter both personal and professional lives.