Anti-sex trafficking crusader behind ‘Sound of Freedom’ movie accused of ‘grooming and sexual misconduct’

The anti-sex trafficking activist who was the subject behind this summer’s hit movie “Sound of Freedom” has been accused of sexually harassing women who worked with his anti-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad, Axios reported.

A lawsuit was filed this Thursday on behalf of “several” former employees and contractors associated with the non-profit who say they were victimized by Tim Ballard.

“We were subjected to sexual harassment, spiritual manipulation, grooming and sexual misconduct,” attorney Suzette Rasmussen said, reading from a statement by the unidentified women.

From Axios:

Women who joined the vigilante raids said Ballard, asked them to pose as his wife or girlfriend, and then sleep in his bed or shower with him as part of his ruse, Vice News and Utah-based freelance journalist Lynn Packer reported.

Ballard, who was the subject of this summer’s surprise-hit movie “Sound of Freedom,” abruptly left OUR around the time of the film’s release. His departure followed an internal investigation into the harassment allegations, Vice reported.

Ballard called the accusations “baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built,” per a statement released by his new anti-trafficking nonprofit, The Spear Fund.

Read the full report over at Axios.

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.