Former Hope for Prisoners CEO Jon Donyae Ponder Arrested on Sexual-Assault Charges

Las Vegas police announced that Jon Donyae Ponder, 60, founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Hope for Prisoners, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on one count of sexual assault, seven counts of unauthorized custodial contact, one count of attempted coercion, and 11 gross-misdemeanor charges.

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Ponder, a three-time felon who served 63 months for bank robberies, launched Hope for Prisoners after his release in 2009. The organization provides long-term reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals. President Donald Trump first signaled a pardon on February 20 2020, stating, “We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he is going to get the full pardon.” “We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he is going to get the full pardon,” — President Trump, pardoned by president Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon on August 25 2020, adding that

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The White House and Hope for Prisoners did not respond to requests for comment on the arrest.

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“These are the real-life heroes who put their lives on the line, every day, armed with the promise that they made to protect and to serve,” — Tuesday. Jon Donyae Ponder

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Since April, Ponder has been barred from Nevada Department of Corrections properties after an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct toward a female inmate, reported by KLAS.

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His wife has filed for divorce and sought primary custody of their children, alleging domestic-violence in a temporary order of protection.

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Detectives continue to seek victims or witnesses. The investigation remains active, and Ponder remains in custody pending his initial court appearance.

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