Actor Timothy Busfield has made his first court appearance in the United States after surrendering to authorities over criminal charges alleging he sexually abused two boys on the set of a television series filmed in New Mexico, according to prosecutors.
The Emmy-winning actor, best known for his roles in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, was taken into custody in Albuquerque on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
Police allege the offences occurred on the set of Fox’s crime drama The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield works as a director and executive producer.
Busfield, 68, has strongly denied the allegations through his lawyer, Stanton “Larry” Stein.
“The claims being made against Tim are completely false, and we will fight this to the end until the truth prevails,” Stein said.
According to Stein, the accusations were motivated by revenge after the boys were written out of the series, a decision that allegedly angered their mother. He claimed prior investigations found no wrongdoing by the actor.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman confirmed that Busfield appeared in court on Wednesday, after which a judge ordered that he remain in custody.
“Our priority is to protect the rights of everyone involved,” Bregman said, urging anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement.
The case is now moving to district court, with a hearing scheduled for 20 January to determine whether Busfield should be granted bail pending trial.
In arrest warrant documents, prosecutors said the boys’ parents accused Busfield of grooming and sexually abusing the children while they were working on The Cleaning Lady.
Authorities allege the boys referred to him as “Uncle Tim” and said he “would tickle them on the stomach and legs.” The affidavit states that both children reported being touched inappropriately over several years.
One of the boys told investigators that Busfield touched his private areas and that the alleged abuse began when he was seven years old. The child said he was afraid to speak out because he “feared” Busfield would “get mad at him.”
Court documents further claim the child has suffered nightmares, bedwetting and emotional distress since the alleged incidents. He has reportedly been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
Before turning himself in, Busfield appeared in a video shared by TMZ, explaining that he had been contacted about securing a lawyer and then drove 2,000 miles (3,200km) to Albuquerque to surrender.
“They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies,” he said.
Busfield told authorities that the boys’ mother had threatened retaliation after her children were removed from the show, according to the arrest affidavit. His lawyer echoed that claim.
“As reflected in the criminal complaint, after her son was terminated from the show, the boy’s mother vowed to ‘get her revenge against Timothy Busfield.’ What followed appears to be a calculated effort to construct a case, driven by animus not fact, despite prior investigations finding no evidence of wrongdoing,” Stein said.
Stein also stated that Warner Bros had previously investigated the claims but closed the probe after finding no corroborating evidence.
However, court documents reveal that after Busfield’s arrest warrant was issued, an additional allegation emerged involving a 16-year-old girl.
Prosecutors cited the claim in a motion opposing his immediate release, arguing that the actor has a “documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behaviour.”
According to prosecutors, the girl’s father reported that Busfield sexually abused his daughter several years ago in California at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, which Busfield co-founded.
The alleged incident occurred during an audition, where Busfield is accused of kissing and groping the teenager.
The documents state that the father alleged Busfield “begged the family to not report to law enforcement” and agreed to attend therapy.
Busfield’s lawyer told the BBC that the actor denies all allegations and “maintains that they are completely false.”
Addressing the latest claim, Stein said Busfield had volunteered to take a polygraph test and had passed it, though no further details were provided.
Prosecutors also referenced past allegations of sexual assault against Busfield dating back to the 1990s and 2012.
In a joint response, The Cleaning Lady producer Warner Bros Television and Fox said they are aware of the charges and are cooperating with law enforcement, adding that the safety of cast and crew remains a priority.
A spokesperson for Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie fame, said she would not comment publicly at this time.
“She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds,” her publicist Ame Van Iden said.
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
