Anti-Trafficking Activist Tim Ballard Faces Criminal Investigation Over Sexual Assault Claims

The founder of Operation Underground Railroad, already facing lawsuits from six women, is now under police investigation following a new assault claim.

• Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad, is under criminal investigation following a woman's claim of sexual assault.
• The woman reported the alleged assault to Lindon police on Nov. 1, marking the first known criminal investigation amid assault claims made against Ballard by six women in two lawsuits.
• Ballard already faces a lawsuit filed by five women who allege he sexually manipulated, abused and harassed them on overseas trips designed to lure and catch child sex traffickers.
• The criminal investigation comes as Utah’s legislative auditor begins to look into Attorney General Sean Reyes’ office, including whether Reyes’ long friendship with Ballard led to any state help for Operation Underground Railroad or 'Sound of Freedom,' a film based on the organization’s activities.
• Ballard has denied the sexual assault allegations and resigned from Operation Underground Railroad amid the allegations.

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