Jim ‘UFO’ Ledwith shares story of alien encounters in Sonoma

Extraterrestrial expert Jim Ledwith, known locally as “UFO Jim,” will return to Andrews Hall to share his theories on the aliens among us — including his own story of abduction.

His Oct. 25 lecture follows one of the biggest developments in the field in U.S. history, after a House Oversight Committee held an official hearing on UFOs in July.

“Lawmakers on the committee, baffled by some of the testimony, repeatedly noted that UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) sightings are an issue of bipartisan concern and raise national security questions. Separately, some accused the federal government of endeavoring to conceal key UFO-related information from the public, though they did not provide evidence to support those allegations,” NBC News wrote of the event.

Ledwith agrees there is more to this story.

“It was good that (Congress) did something,” Ledwith said. “What's not good is the amount of information they probably gave us. I think maybe they gave us five percent.”

In his talk, Ledwith hopes to share more of the 95% he fears Congress left out of its public discussion. As a researcher of UFOs for over 50 years and the author of several books on the subject, including investigative work interviewing retired military and defense industry personnel, Ledwith has gained an international following for his work — although, it remains unclear if the aliens are fond of him.

Where Congressional leaders questioned whether aliens exist, his answer is a resolute “yes.” The more important question for Ledwith is: “Are they walking among us?” Again, his answer is, “yes.”

“Species have engaged us and are using us, and, in my opinion, abusing us for their own wants and needs. It's more than, ‘Are there UFOs out there?’ That’s a given,” Ledwith said. “The part that’s really disconcerting is a species that are possibly, I think probably, engaging us and abducting us.”

Ledwith’s lecture will detail his own abduction experience 12 years ago and describe the beings he encountered, including their motivation in taking him. He will also talk about the larger strategy behind earthling abductions, the aliens’ goals and human-alien hybrids.

“We love working with Jim and partnering with him to bring films and discussions about extraterrestrials and unexplained phenomena,” Sonoma Community Center Executive Director Vanessa Rognlien said.

Of course, not everyone is as extraterrestrially curious as Ledwith.

“I'm one of those folks who believes it's a huge universe, so there’s probably something out there,” said Josh Cutler, the director of operations and finance at the community center. “Do I think we're ever gonna probably meet them? Probably not.”

Still, Cutler said the thought-provoking perspectives Ledwith shares make for an intriguing evening for all in attendance.

“Jim brings an energy of curiosity and excitement to all he does,” Rognlien said. “His programs remind us there is still so much we don't know and allow us to wonder at the mysteries around us.”

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.