Tim Ballard: US anti-child-trafficking figure who inspired Sound of Freedom faces assault charges

He rose to fame by going undercover to rescue children from sex trafficking. Tim Ballard is currently facing assault charges.

In the lawsuit filed Monday, five women allege they were coerced into sexual acts after participating in Ballard’s sting operations.

Mr Ballard, whose life story was the basis for the hit movie ‘The Sound of Freedom’, has denied the allegations.

He quit his job this summer at a nonprofit organization that helps with rescue efforts.

Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization Ballard co-founded, was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed in Utah’s Third District Court.

Through OUR, Ms. Ballard traveled internationally to rescue women and children who were victims of sex trafficking.

According to the complaint, Ballard used a tactic known as the “couple ruse” to fool traffickers by pretending that the female partner he was traveling with was a married couple.

According to the complaint, Ballard, a Mormon, initially followed strict rules while undercover, such as “no kissing on the lips, no touching or exposing private parts,” but the situation changed over time. It is said that he did.

Mr. Ballard “began to impose his religion” and “psychological manipulation.” [the women] Many of the alleged victims were also Mormons, the complaint states.

Under the “couple scheme,” Ballard “performed a scheme in which, if offered alcohol, which is prohibited in the Mormon Church, he would tell the women to drink it before they opened their mouths,” according to the complaint. , they kiss and spit the alcohol in their mouths, and they spit it out when the traffickers aren’t looking. ”

Allegations in the lawsuit include allegations that Ballard pressured women to share beds and showers and coerced them into sexual acts during sting operations, with the goal of “always seeking romantic relationships.” It is alleged that she was forced to perform sex acts in order to make it appear that Sex traffickers are suspicious of them.

The lawsuit also alleges that OUR and its board members knew about Ballard’s actions but ignored or silenced the alleged victims.

“We categorically deny the allegations related to OUR,” the nonprofit said in a statement obtained by The Washington Post.

The BBC has contacted OUR and the Spear Fund, which is also named as a defendant in the case and of which Mr Ballard is a senior adviser, for comment.

Last month, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accused Ballard of using his friendship with Mormon leader Russell Ballard (no relation) for personal gain.

Tim Ballard rose to national fame this year after the release of the film The Sound of Freedom, which was based on his work.

He said the mission had saved “hundreds, maybe thousands of children.”