Founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad
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] The 2023 American Christian thriller film Sound of Freedom , starring Jim Caviezel , was inspired by Ballard's work.[ 6] [ 7]
Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023 amid accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple employees.[ 8] 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."[ 9] 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 O.U.R.'s policies and values".[ 10] [ 11]
^ Merlan, Anna (July 13, 2023). "Tim Ballard Has 'Stepped Away' From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says" . Vice . Retrieved July 13, 2023 .
^ "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 .
^ "Crossfit OUR" . Crossfit OUR . Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017 .
^ Conley, Meg (May 11, 2021). "Called by God" . Slate . Retrieved September 14, 2023 .
^ "Biographic Information for Members of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking" . United States Department of State . Retrieved September 14, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ Lehmann, Chris (August 7, 2023). " "Sound of Freedom" Is a QAnon Fever Dream" . The Nation. Retrieved October 20, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Beal-Cvetko, Bridger. "Operation Underground Railroad announces new leadership after Tim Ballard ouster" . www.ksl.com . Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved February 13, 2024 .
^ Team, The O.U.R. (December 4, 2023). "An Update from Operation Underground Railroad" . O.U.R. Rescue . Archived from the original on March 18, 2024.