In a private room on an isolated island off the shores of Colombia four virgins are proudly presented to Tim for his approval. Three girls and a boy. They have been groomed for nearly a year just for this moment.

These children are 11 and 12 years old and all are very scared. One is crying and can barely speak her name when asked.

It takes everything Tim has not to tell them he is there to rescue them. Instead, he must act the part of a lustful, depraved man.

Child Sex Trafficking Ring in Colombia

The child trafficker tells Tim that Tim’s party, consisting of what appears to be a dozen pedophiles brought to the island to engage in illicit sex, should be gentle with them as this is their first time. The trafficker is charging a premium price of one thousand dollars for each child for what he calls a “precious gift” for Tim and his friends.

This day is a culmination of weeks and months of planning, coordinating, and investigating. It is also only one of three rescues planned for the day; the first time Operation Underground Railroad has attempted to do multiple rescues simultaneously, all in Colombia.

The pressure is immense for O.U.R Founder and CEO Tim Ballard. He has had total control over every operation since he started the charity back in January 2014 and it is difficult to let go, but he knows that in order to save more children he must train others to do what only he has done.

This operation was not only a rescue, but a test for the Jump Teams to see how well multiple teams can handle a rescue. Three different Jump Teams, three different cities, three different rescues. A total of one hundred and twenty-three victims saved and 12 arrested. According to Ballard, “Everything went according to plan.”

Law enforcement was so impressed with O.U.R that they asked Ballard to set up an office in Colombia and help them continue the fight against these child traffickers. This fits nicely into Ballard’s plans of expansion and he is looking into the logistics of such an effort right now. The only thing limiting him is resources.

Donations have been generous and O.U.R. is frugal with every penny received but they can always use more. More money translates into more rescues. It’s really that simple.

Back on the island in Colombia, a group of children is seen huddled together praying. Little do they know their prayer is about to be answered.

The take-down happens quickly. Ballard describes the scene:

“It’s very dramatic. Thirty armed guys come and have everybody lay down and they start handcuffing the traffickers. One guy takes off running down the beach and I’m afraid he’s going to get away so I start running after him, but I make it look like I’m running with him. Then I grab his shirt and tell him the police are over in the direction he is heading. He turns and runs with me right into the police.”

O.U.R. Found and CEO Tim Ballard and helper during Operation Triple Take

A group called Bienestar Familiar comes in immediately after the take-down to help with the children. The organization works hand-in-hand with a Colombian foundation set up to keep the children safe, rehabilitate them, and help them heal while moving forward in their lives.

The good guys (a.k.a. the Jump Teams) never disclose who they are, and it’s tough sometimes. “It’s hard not to let them (the children) know who we are, but we do it for security reasons,” says Ballard. However, on this occasion, someone outside of the Jump Team inadvertently told some of the children and, as the Jump Team is leaving, they hear the children shouting and praising them for their help.

It’s a fitting ending to Ballard’s days as an undercover operative. He is becoming too well-known now but will continue to work behind the scenes to reach his goal of saving children all around the globe. After a moment of reflection, Ballard says with a smile, “Of course, there’s always the possibility of using a disguise.”

Written by: Cheryl L. Karr