The Declaration of Aaron Asay

Aaron Asay Declaration Details Allegations of Misconduct and Operational Concerns

A sworn declaration submitted by Aaron Asay, a former senior operator with Aerial Recovery and longtime associate of Tim Ballard, outlines a series of allegations related to conduct, operational practices, and internal management within organizations involved in anti-human trafficking work.

The declaration, made under penalty of perjury, is based on Asay’s personal knowledge from his involvement in missions and leadership roles dating back to 2015.

Background and Role

Asay states that he served in both leadership and field capacities with Aerial Recovery and worked directly with Tim Ballard on multiple operations. He describes himself as having a background in emergency medicine, disaster response, and military service, and indicates he was involved in planning and executing missions.

Allegations of Conduct During Operations

The declaration includes a claim that Ballard disclosed to Asay that a sexual encounter occurred between Ballard and a female operative during an operation conducted under the “couples ruse” tactic. According to Asay, Ballard described being partially undressed and sexually aroused during the incident. Asay characterizes this conduct as a violation of operational and ethical standards.

Concerns Regarding Judgment and Fitness

Asay states that over time he became increasingly concerned about Ballard’s behavior, citing what he describes as erratic conduct, questionable decision-making, and suspected substance use. He indicates that these concerns led him to question Ballard’s fitness to participate in field operations.

Operational Security Issues

The declaration further alleges that Ballard publicly identified Asay as an undercover operative during an international event, which Asay states compromised operational security and created potential safety risks.

Internal Practices and Program Concerns

Asay asserts that he was pressured to support or participate in operational methods and training scenarios he did not believe were appropriate. He also raises concerns about a program referred to as “Heal the Heroes,” stating that it lacked clinical oversight and was presented as a mental health initiative without appropriate medical structure.

Financial Allegations

The declaration alleges that funds raised for anti-human trafficking efforts were diverted to other uses, including retreat-style programs. Asay states that, in his view, this constituted a misuse of donor funds. He also claims that financial information was not made available to internal leadership and that transparency regarding expenditures was limited.

Termination and Retaliation Claim

Asay states that after raising concerns internally, he was removed from organizational systems, terminated without warning, and asked to sign a legal agreement attributing responsibility to him for reputational harm. He declined and states that the situation resulted in financial and professional consequences.

Conclusion

The declaration presents a detailed account of alleged misconduct and organizational issues based on firsthand involvement. While the statements are made under oath, the claims have not been fully adjudicated and may be disputed by those named.

The document contributes to a broader body of testimony raising questions about operational practices, leadership conduct, and financial management within organizations connected to anti-human trafficking efforts.

Declaration of Aaron Asay Download