SALT LAKE CITY (UT)
Salt Lake Tribune [Salt Lake City UT]
November 14, 2025
By Robert Gehrke
Following an investigation, District Attorney Sim Gill said, “critical corroborating evidence is unavailable.”
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill declined to file criminal charges against Tim Ballard, the anti-child-trafficking celebrity, saying his office believed it lacked the evidence needed to charge Ballard of engaging in sexual assault or misconduct.
In a statement late Friday afternoon, Gill said he commends the courage of those who spoke to investigators and the decision by his office “does not diminish the value of the survivors’ voices or the harm they have experienced,” but prosecutors lacked the evidence needed to “remove every reasonable doubt for a jury.”
“While the survivors have provided important and compelling statements,” Gill said, “critical corroborating evidence is unavailable, and certain necessary elements of the charges cannot be established with the certainty required by the law.”
The decision was conveyed in a letter from county prosecutor Clint Heiner to James Pettis of the Utah Attorney General’s office. Two years ago, then-Attorney General Sean Reyes announced an investigation of Ballard on allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct leveled by several women.
“We would be happy to revisit this matter if additional information is developed which supports the prosecution of the suspect,” Heiner wrote.
Gill’s announcement only addresses incidents that occurred in Salt Lake County. Women accusing Ballard of misconduct have also filed police reports alleging crimes in Utah County and California.
Reyes had a decade-long friendship with Ballard and announced the investigation at the same time he said he would not seek another term. At the time, Reyes said he’d met with the women accusing Ballard of misconduct, and “ I believe them and am heartbroken for what they endured and the trauma they will face their entire lives.”
In a civil lawsuit, the women have accused Ballard of exploiting his position as founder of Operation Underground Railroad and their desire to help combat child trafficking to engage in a range of sexual abuse.
One lawsuit, filed by Celeste Borys, Ballard’s former executive assistant, was dismissed but is being appealed. Another filed by five women is still pending.
Attorneys for the women accusing Ballard said in a statement Friday that they appreciate Gill acknowledging the courage it took to come forward and said Gill’s statement recognizes “that these women were harmed by a man who built an empire on lies, manipulation and exploitation.”
“No declination letter can undo the courage these survivors have shown,” the lawyers said. “The truth is out. And because of these women, it will never again be hidden.”
Ballard has adamantly denied wrongdoing and has filed a defamation suit against his accusers.
Friday night, Ballard’s attorney said in a statement that his client “is innocent, so the fact there will be no charges makes absolute sense.”
“That is also why he has been consistently achieving victories in civil court,” attorney Mark Eisenhut said. “We hope the authorities will strongly consider charges against false accusers.”
In June of 2023, the board of Operation Underground Railroad demanded he leave the organization after an investigation was conducted into allegations of misconduct.
That September, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a rare rebuke of Ballard, who had allegedly touted his friendship with a senior apostle in the church, M. Russell Ballard. They are not related.
“Once it became clear Tim Ballard had betrayed their friendship, through the unauthorized use of President Ballard’s name for Tim Ballard’s personal advantage and activity regarded as morally unacceptable,” the statement said, “President Ballard withdrew his association.”
M. Russell Ballard died that November.
Last week, Tim Ballard confirmed that around that time he was “excommunicated” from the church — which the faith now refers to as a “withdrawal of membership.” He also accused “Deep Church” entities within the church of conspiring to destroy his reputation and derail his plans to run for the U.S. Senate.
He demanded in a video posted on social media that the church retract its statement. A church spokesperson at the time declined to respond.
Gill’s decision not to charge Ballard comes the same day that Ballard has a new documentary film, called “Hidden War,” opening in theaters. His previous film, “Sound of Freedom,” loosely based on his anti-trafficking work, grossed $250 million worldwide.
Note to readers, Nov. 15, 9:45 a.m. • The story has been updated to include a comment from Tim Ballard’s attorney and to add details from the Salt Lake County district attorney.