The founder of an inmate assistance organization, himself an ex-convict, is facing a multitude of sex crime charges after an investigation into allegations of misconduct with female prisoners was conducted.
Jon Ponder, who has been convicted three times, leads HOPE for Prisoners based in Las Vegas. He originally founded the organization during his incarceration for bank robbery, aiming to support fellow inmates in their rehabilitation journey.
The mission of the organization, as stated on its website, is to assist “men, women, and young adults in successfully reintegrating into the workforce, their families, and our broader community.”
Following his arrest on Tuesday, Ponder faces 20 charges related to sexually-based offenses, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
The charges against him include one count of sexual assault, seven counts of unlawful custodial conduct, one count of attempted coercion with a sexual motivation, and 11 counts of gross misdemeanors.
Officials did not elaborate on the allegations sparking the charges.
However, Ponder was earlier banned from going to any Nevada prisons after being accused of being investigated for acting inappropriately toward a female inmate, the Nevada Current reported in April.
The Inspector General’s office investigated the allegations and passed their findings along to the LVMPD, the report said..
Ponder’s wife, Jamie Ponder, has since filed for divorce and is seeking primary custody of the couple’s children, and has filed for a temporary order of protection alleging domestic violence.
Ponder, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2020 as a prison rehabilitation expert, was pardoned that same year by President Trump, who has even spoken at HOPE for Prisoners’ “graduation” ceremony.