Wikipedia

Tim Ballard

Not to be confused with Tom Ballard.

Timothy Ballard is the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.),[1] an anti–sex trafficking organization.[2][3][4][5] Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023 amid accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple employees.[6] Shortly afterward, five women filed a lawsuit against Ballard, accusing him of coercing them into sexual acts during his sting operations. Another lawsuit was then filed against Ballard by a married couple, accusing him of sexual assault and grooming. Utah Governor Spencer Cox subsequently called for a criminal investigation into Ballard's actions.

Tim Ballard
Ballard speaking at Turning Point Action in 2023
Born
Timothy Ballard

Provo, Utah, U.S.
EducationBrigham Young University (BA)
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MA)
Known forFounder of Operation Underground Railroad
SpouseKatherine Ballard
Children9 (2 adopted)
Websitetimothyballard.com

In a September 2023 statement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement condemning Ballard for "activity regarded as morally unacceptable."[7] In a December 2023 statement posted on its website, O.U.R. said an independent law firm reached the conclusion that Ballard had "engaged in unprofessional behavior that violated OUR's policies and values."[8]

The 2023 American Christian thriller film Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel, is inspired by Ballard's work.[9][10]

Early life and education

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Ballard grew up in California[11] and graduated from La Cañada High School in 1994.[12] As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-year mission to Chile. Afterwards, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and political science. He then obtained a Master of Arts in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (now part of Middlebury College), graduating summa cum laude.[13]

Operation Underground Railroad

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Ballard founded the non-profit organization Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) in 2013.[14] He has claimed, without evidence, that his organization has rescued thousands of trafficking victims.[15] He was invited by Donald Trump to join a White House anti-trafficking advisory board.[16]

On May 14, 2015, Ballard testified before the United States Congress House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights during which he recommended procedures and practices for rescuing children from trafficking rings.[17] The hearing focused on partnerships between the U.S. government and non-governmental organizations that rescue trafficking victims.[18] On March 6, 2019, Ballard testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee about US-Mexico border security and its relation to child sex trafficking.[19][20] As early as 2016, Ballard was criticized for broadcasting raids without regard for victim privacy.[21][22]

Ballard was appointed to the White House Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking in 2019.[23] The Council was terminated as required by the enabling legislation on September 30, 2020.[24]

In October 2020, the Attorney's Office of Davis County, Utah initiated an investigation into complaints that O.U.R. and Ballard had conducted illegal fundraising efforts.[25][26][27] No charges were filed and the investigation was closed on March 28, 2023.[28]

Ballard and supporters of O.U.R. have been accused of promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory as early as 2020.[29][30][31] In July 2023, the month Sound of Freedom was released, Ballard stated that this claim is not true and is being used to discredit him and the film.[32] In an interview with Jordan Peterson the same month, Ballard claimed, without evidence, to have recently raided a West African "baby factory", where children were sold for organ harvesting and Satanic ritual abuse, a claim that echoed a QAnon conspiracy theory.[33][34]

In 2021, Ballard paid himself $355,000 in salary and compensation as CEO of O.U.R. In 2022, his salary had risen to $546,548.[35]

Sexual misconduct allegations and resignation

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Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023.[36][37] At the time, Vice reported: "An anonymous letter sent to employees of and donors to the anti-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad asserts that founder Tim Ballard left the organization recently after an internal investigation into claims made against him by multiple employees".[38] Vice later reported that his departure had followed allegations of sexual misconduct.[39] The contents of the anonymous letter were published in full on September 17; it alleged a pattern of grooming and manipulation of women affiliated with the organization.[39][40][41]

In the same week that the allegations were made public, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly denounced Ballard, stating that he had used the name of church leader M. Russell Ballard (no relation) for personal gain, and called his conduct "morally unacceptable".[42] The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called the sexual misconduct allegations "disturbing" and "unconscionable" if true.[43] Ballard denied the accusations, saying that "they are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children."[44]

On September 28, several former employees and former contractors released a statement through attorney Suzette Rasmussen affirming the allegations against Ballard, stating that they were "subjected to sexual harassment, spiritual manipulation, grooming, and sexual misconduct."[45] That same morning, O.U.R. released a statement confirming that they had launched an investigation into the allegations when they were first made, and that at the conclusion of that investigation, Ballard resigned.[45][46]

Following the allegations and denunciation, Ballard's books were removed from the website and stores of his publisher Shadow Mountain Publishing and its parent company Deseret Book, which is owned by the LDS Church. Previously, his books had been criticized by scholars for inaccurate content.[47]

On October 9, 2023, a lawsuit was filed by five women who said they were coerced into sexual acts by Ballard during his sting operations.[48]

On October 11, 2023, a married couple filed a lawsuit against O.U.R. and Ballard, accusing Ballard of sexual assault and grooming. In a statement in the lawsuit, the husband alleged that Ballard wanted his wife to help O.U.R., despite her having "no training in any sort of undercover work." The lawsuit went on to state that Ballard began abusing the "couples ruse", in which Ballard had women pose undercover as his wife or girlfriend to fool traffickers on purported rescue missions, and used it as a tool for sexual grooming.[49]

On October 19, 2023, the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called for a criminal investigation into the allegations made against Ballard.[50]

In January 2024, one of Ballard's accusers filed additional criminal complaints of sexual assault in four California jurisdictions.[51] This was followed by a Federal suit in October under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.[52][53]

Other work

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Ballard was the former CEO of The Nazarene Fund, a Glenn Beck-backed Christian organization.[54]

Media appearances

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The 2016 documentary The Abolitionists, produced by Gerald Molen, featured the first operations undertaken by Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad.[55] Another documentary from director Nick Nanton, Operation Toussaint, was produced in 2018 which featured an operation in Haiti that had the support of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and former US congresswoman Mia Love of Utah.[56]

ESPN featured Ballard and Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin in a piece which highlighted the restavek issue near the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.[57] Tomlin would also write the foreword to Ballard's book Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues – Then and Now.[58][59][60]

A feature film, Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel as Ballard, was announced in 2018[61][62] and released in theaters in 2023.[63]

Personal life

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Ballard and his wife Katherine met at Brigham Young University.[64] As of 2015, their family resided in Utah. Ballard was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[65] but was no longer a member in good standing as of September, 2023.[66] and the church denounced his attempt to claim his work was authorized.[67]

Friendships

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Ballard is close friends with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and a longtime close friend of political commentator Glenn Beck.[68][69] In October 2023 Beck said the two would talk on the phone "all the time".[70]

Ballard was also a former friend of M. Russell Ballard, who was the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles within the LDS Church until his death in November 2023, a position he had held since January 2018.[71][72] However, their friendship ended when M. Russell Ballard became aware of Tim Ballard's misconduct.[42]

Bibliography

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  • The Covenant, Lincoln, and the War (The Covenant) (2012). Title of Liberty Press. ISBN 978-0-9883-7510-9
  • The Lincoln Hypothesis: A Modern-day Abolitionist Investigates the Possible Connection between Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Abraham Lincoln (2016). Deseret Book Company. ISBN 978-1-6297-2179-8
  • Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues: Then and Now (2018). Shadow Mountain. ISBN 9781629724843
  • The Washington Hypothesis: A Modern-Day Investigator Explores the Possible Connection Between the American Covenant, Latter-day Temples, and George Washington (2018). Deseret Book Company. ISBN 978-1-6297-2452-2
  • The Covenant, One Nation under God: America's Sacred & Immutable Connection to Ancient Israel (2019). Legends Library Press. ISBN 978-1-9377-3520-3
  • Ballard, Timothy; Brunson, Russell; Nanton, Nick. Operation Toussaint (2019) Morgan James Publishing. ISBN 978-1-6427-9269-0
  • The Pilgrim Hypothesis (2020). Covenant Communications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-5244-1282-1
  • The American Covenant Vol 1: One Nation under God: Establishment, Discovery and Revolution (2020). Digital Legend Press. ISBN 978-1-9345-3728-2
  • The American Covenant Volume 2: The Constitution, The Civil War, and our fight to preserve the Covenant today (2020). Digital Legend Press. ISBN 978-1934537282

Source:[73]

References

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  1. ^ Merlan, Anna (July 13, 2023). "Tim Ballard Has 'Stepped Away' From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says". Vice. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Founder, CEO of Operation Underground Railroad to speak at UVU". DeseretNews.com. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Crossfit OUR". Crossfit OUR. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Conley, Meg (May 11, 2021). "Called by God". Slate. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "Biographic Information for Members of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking". United States Department of State. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  6. ^ Lewis, Scott (September 19, 2023). ""Nothing will change my core beliefs": Tim Ballard issues statement calling LDS denunciation 'alleged'". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Herbets, Adam (January 27, 2024). "New court filings detail Tim Ballard's discipline with LDS Church". www.fox13now.com. Fox 13 Salt Lake City. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Beal-Cvetko, Bridger. "Operation Underground Railroad announces new leadership after Tim Ballard ouster". www.ksl.com. Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Jurgensen, John (July 2, 2023). "A Child-Trafficking Thriller Is Taking on Hollywood. Who's Behind It?". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Lehmann, Chris (August 7, 2023). ""Sound of Freedom" Is a QAnon Fever Dream". The Nation. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Armstrong, Jamie (October 18, 2018). "Rescuing Children from Sex Slavery: One Mormon's Inspired Mission". LDS yLiving. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  12. ^ Alva, Mia (July 30, 2023). "LCF Duo Teams Up to Create 'Sound of Freedom'". La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "The Team". Operation Underground Railroad. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  14. ^ Hanson, Kurt. "Operation Underground Railroad: Saves lives in ways most can't". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  15. ^ "Why Sound Of Freedom Is So Controversial". Screen Rant. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  16. ^ Tiffany, Kaitlyn (December 9, 2021). "The Great (Fake) Child-Sex-Trafficking Epidemic". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Hearing Sex Trafficking Victims, May 14 2015". C-SPAN.org. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  18. ^ "Hearing: Sex Trafficking Victims". C-SPAN. May 14, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  19. ^ "Watch: Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on human trafficking at U.S. southern border". PBS NewsHour. March 6, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Oversight of Customs and Border Protection's Response to the Smuggling of Persons at the Southern Border". U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. March 6, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  21. ^ Jackman, Tom (September 23, 2016). "Hunting for sex-traffickers abroad". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  22. ^ Kajewski, Jenna (February 5, 2019). "The Hypocrisy of Trump's Anti-Trafficking Argument for a Border Wall". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  23. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov. October 29, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2020 – via National Archives.
  24. ^ "Biographic Information for Members of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  25. ^ Herbets, Adam & Carlisle, Nate (October 8, 2020). "Anti-human trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under criminal investigation by Utah prosecutor". KSTU.
  26. ^ Herbets, Adam (October 10, 2020). "Anti-human-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under investigation". Cedar City News.
  27. ^ "Breaking News: Anti-human trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under criminal investigation by Davis County Attorney". American Crime Journal. October 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Davis County Attorney's Office closes investigation into Operation Underground Railroad". May 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Roose, Kevin (August 12, 2020). "QAnon Followers Are Hijacking the #SaveTheChildren Movement". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Steadman, Otillia (April 23, 2021). "Donald Trump Is Gone, But QAnon's Sex Trafficking Conspiracies Are Here To Stay". BuzzFeed News.
  31. ^ Bixenspan, David (September 29, 2020). "WWE Referee, Wrestler-Turned-Mayor Fundraise For QAnon-Adjacent Charity". Vice.com.
  32. ^ Heckman, Elizabeth (July 10, 2023). "Ballard interview, Fox News". Fox News.
  33. ^ Long, Katherine. "'Sound of Freedom,' this summer's surprise blockbuster, is fronted by a QAnon supporter and financed by a man who defrauded Medicare". Insider. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  34. ^ "Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard EP 372". YouTube. July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  35. ^ Corky Siemaszko (September 19, 2023). "'Sound of Freedom' inspiration Tim Ballard resigned from child rescue group after misconduct reports". NBC. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  36. ^ Lewis, Scott (September 19, 2023). ""Nothing will change my core beliefs": Tim Ballard issues statement calling LDS denunciation 'alleged'". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  37. ^ Scribner, Herb (July 13, 2023). "The man at the center of 'Sound of Freedom' abruptly leaves group he founded". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  38. ^ Merlan, Anna (July 18, 2023). "Tim Ballard Left Operation Underground Railroad After Investigation into Claims Made by Employees". Vice. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Merlan, Anna (September 18, 2023). "Tim Ballard's Departure From Operation Underground Railroad Followed Sexual Misconduct Investigation". VICE. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  40. ^ "'Sound Of Freedom' Movie's Hero, Tim Ballard, Subject Of Sexual Misconduct Allegations & Inquiry Involving 7 Women – Report". Deadline Hollywood. September 18, 2023.
  41. ^ "'Sound of Freedom' Team Silent on New Allegations Against Real-Life Subject Tim Ballard". The Hollywood Reporter. September 18, 2023.
  42. ^ a b "LDS Church calls activity of Tim Ballard 'morally unacceptable'". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  43. ^ "Cox calls Ballard allegations 'disturbing' and 'unconscionable,' if true". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  44. ^ Siemaszko, Corky (September 19, 2023). "'Sound of Freedom' inspiration Tim Ballard resigned from child rescue group after misconduct reports". NBC News. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  45. ^ a b Tomco, Brigham (September 28, 2023). "Attorney for former OUR employees says they 'affirm' allegations of sexual misconduct against Tim Ballard". Deseret News. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  46. ^ "Tim Ballard, of 'Sound of Freedom' fame, accused of sexual misconduct". The Washington Post. October 10, 2023.
  47. ^ Eddington, Mark (September 29, 2023). "More bad news for Tim Ballard: LDS Church-owned Deseret Book yanks his books". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  48. ^ Drenon, Brandon (October 11, 2023). "Tim Ballard: US child-trafficking opponent who inspired Sound of Freedom accused of assault". BBC News. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  49. ^ Beal-Cvetko, Bridger; Aerts, Lindsay (October 11, 2023). "2nd lawsuit filed against Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard". www.ksl.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  50. ^ "Utah Governor advocates for criminal investigation into former anti-trafficking CEO". WEAR. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  51. ^ "Tim Ballard faces four new criminal sexual assault complaints in California, attorney says". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  52. ^ Klee, Miles (October 22, 2024). "Anti-Trafficking Activist Tim Ballard Hit With Human Trafficking Allegations in Federal Lawsuit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  53. ^ "MAGA influencer Tim Ballard faces human trafficking lawsuit". MSNBC.
  54. ^ Merlan, Anna; Marchman, Tim (July 19, 2023). "Tim Ballard Out as CEO at Glenn Beck-Backed Nazarene Fund". Vice. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  55. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 1, 2015). "'Abolitionists' Documentary Series About Rescuing Kids From Sex Slavery Shopped". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  56. ^ Armstrong, Jamie (June 2, 2017). "LDS Congresswoman, Operation Underground Railroad Founder Meet with President of Haiti to Address Human Trafficking". LDS Living. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  57. ^ Fowler, Jeremy (November 2, 2017). "Mike Tomlin, Steelers partner with anti-sex-trafficking initiative". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  58. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 3, 2018). "Tomlin helping to tell a tough story". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  59. ^ Fittipaldo, Ray (August 3, 2008). "Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are doing their part to end child sex trafficking". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  60. ^ "Mike Tomlin Authors Foreward For New Book Focusing On Fight Against Human Trafficking". KDKA-TV. August 3, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  61. ^ Bond, Paul (September 6, 2016). "Child Sex Trafficking Explored in New Doc 'Abolitionists' (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  62. ^ Bond, Paul (June 15, 2018). "Blockchain Platform TaTaTu to Co-Finance 'Sound of Freedom'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  63. ^ Bramesco, Charles (July 7, 2023). "'Sound Of Freedom' Is a Superhero Movie for Dads With Brainworms". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  64. ^ "Tim Ballard's Wife, Katherine". ourrescue.org. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  65. ^ "Saving Children: Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad". Latter-day Saints Channel. March 15, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  66. ^ "New court filings detail Tim Ballard's discipline with LDS Church". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). January 27, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  67. ^ Jennings, Aubree (September 18, 2023). "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints denounces claims made by OUR former leader Tim Ballard".
  68. ^ Gehrke, Robert (October 12, 2023). "Sean Reyes' friendship with Tim Ballard has Utah lawmakers weighing major changes for A.G.'s office". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  69. ^ Hatch, Heidi (October 6, 2023). "Glenn Beck says he was 'completely duped' by close friend Tim Ballard". KUTV. Retrieved October 22, 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
  70. ^ Pace, Eliza; Aerts, Lindsay (October 6, 2023). "Glenn Beck says he feels 'duped' by friend, Tim Ballard amidst allegations". Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  71. ^ "M. Russell Ballard". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  72. ^ Fletcher Stack, Peggy (September 19, 2023). "LDS Church didn't denounce me, Tim Ballard fires back". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  73. ^ "Author - Timothy Ballard - Deseret Book". Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
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