Individual Accused of Funding Film ‘Sound of Freedom’ Faces Charges in Child Kidnapping Case

• An investor involved with the film “Sound of Freedom” has been charged as an accessory to child kidnapping.
• The movie has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of anti-child sex trafficking and its ties to QAnon.
• Fabian Marta is scheduled to appear in court again on August 28.

Police have apprehended an investor who played a role in bringing the film “Sound of Freedom” to theaters last week. The individual has been charged with accessory to child kidnapping in relation to an incident that occurred earlier this month, as per court documents.

“Sound of Freedom” is loosely based on the true story of Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent who takes matters into his own hands to rescue children from sex traffickers. However, the movie has generated controversy due to its association with the QAnon-adjacent anti-child trafficking charity called Operation Underground Railroad, which Ballard founded.

The film has garnered attention both for its popularity and for the questionable views expressed by its lead actor, Jim Caviezel. Caviezel, in 2021, espoused a fringe conspiracy theory associated with QAnon, claiming that human traffickers extract adrenaline from children, as reported by Vanity Fair.

Detractors argue that “Sound of Freedom” misrepresents the reality of anti-child trafficking efforts. Sex trafficking expert Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco highlighted in a USA Today op-ed the sensationalized and fictionalized nature of many stories related to sex trafficking, which can be exploited for personal gain and attention.

Fabian Marta was arrested by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police on July 23 for an alleged involvement in child kidnapping. He was subsequently released on a $15,000 bond. The next court hearing is scheduled for August 28. Newsweek reveals that Marta is acknowledged in the movie’s credits as one of the investors who contributed to the film’s release.

The specifics surrounding the kidnapping incident, which occurred on July 21, are few and far between, as indicated by court records.

Insider’s request for comment from Marta’s attorney remains unanswered. However, an attorney representing Marta shared with E! News that the charges against his client are baseless. According to the attorney, Marta’s involvement was limited to being a landlord and he had no association with custodial kidnapping.

Despite controversies, “Sound of Freedom” has exceeded box office projections, grossing over $150 million to date, surpassing its $14.5 million budget. Some social media users have raised suspicions about the film’s success, suggesting the use of “astroturfing” to create the illusion of sold-out theaters by purchasing large numbers of tickets.

Viral TikTok videos depict supposedly packed showings of “Sound of Freedom” that are empty once the film begins.

Inside Edition offers a possible explanation for this phenomenon, suggesting that an on-screen message from Jim Caviezel prompts viewers to scan a QR code and purchase additional tickets.

Insider’s request for comment from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has not been answered as of Saturday.