Tim Ballard was a special agent and an undercover operative working for the Department of Homeland Security when the assignment came. He was selected to start a child crimes unit, and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a key qualification. After creating the task force, he quickly realized that there was more that needed to be done to rescue child sex slaves.
Ballard left his job at Homeland Security and started Operation Underground Railroad in January 2014, where he works closely with Ed Smart, father of Utah kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart. Ballard said in an interview with the Mormon Channel that “(Heavenly Father) is the fundamental piece for why we’re doing this.”
Operation Underground Railroad has gained a lot of attention. Gerald Molen, Oscar-winning producer, reached out to Ballard and his organization, offering to produce a film documenting how the Operation runs and illuminating the problem of child trafficking. “The Abolitionist” documentary is completed and will appear in theaters soon.
Speaking of the Operation’s religious connection, Ballard cited Jacob 2:19 and said, “We’re supposed to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and liberate the captive. Oftentimes people kind of brush over that — what does that mean, liberate the captive? I know what that means.”