Founder and CEO of Las Vegas-based prisoner reentry program who was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020 arrested on assault-related charges
The founder of a prominent Las Vegas prisoner reentry program who received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump has been arrested on assault-related charges.
Pardoned Donald Trump supporter arrested
Jon Donyae Ponder, 60, founder and CEO of Hope for Prisoners and a three-time convicted felon, was arrested over what Las Vegas police described as “sexually based crimes.”
“Detectives believe there may be additional victims in the community,” police said.
Ponder was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on one count of assault, seven counts of unauthorized custodial contact, one count of attempted coercion and 11 gross misdemeanor charges.
He remained in custody ahead of an initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday, August 20. It was unclear whether Ponder had retained an attorney.
Hope for Prisoners
Ponder founded Hope for Prisoners after his 2009 release from prison, where he served 63 months for a series of bank robberies.
“Hope for Prisoners assists with reentry by providing the formerly incarcerated long-term support and services as they work to reclaim their lives, families and standing in the community,” the organization’s website says. “We give them hope. Hope changes lives.”
The organization said Ponder experienced “firsthand the same challenge most face” after leaving prison.
“He realized there was a lack of long-term support and guidance for those who learned from their mistakes and had a genuine desire to change the direction of their lives,” the website says.
Ponder gained national attention through his relationship with Trump, appearing alongside him at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Full and unconditional pardon
Trump initially raised the possibility of pardoning Ponder during a Hope for Prisoners graduation ceremony in Nevada.
“We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he is going to get the full pardon,” Trump said on February 20, 2020.
Trump granted Ponder a full and unconditional pardon on August 25, 2020, saying that “each person is made by God for a purpose.”
“I will continue to give all Americans, including former inmates, the best chance to build a new life and achieve their own American dream and a great American dream,” Trump said.
Ponder has also been barred from Nevada Department of Corrections properties since April amid an investigation into allegations that he acted inappropriately toward a female inmate. His wife recently filed for divorce and primary custody of their children while alleging domestic violence in a temporary protection order, according to KLAS.