Alleged Sexual Predator Used Ties to Lombardo to Silence Victims

Former Hope for Prisoners CEO Jon Ponder, who has close ties to Joe Lombardo, was arrested this week and charged with nine felony counts and 11 gross misdemeanors — including sexual assault and sexual abuse of a prisoner. New reporting shows that despite “significant evidence” brought to Hope for Prisoners board members including Lombardo, the now-governor refused to fire him. Lombardo did not respond when asked if he regrets not taking action to protect Nevada inmates and potential victims.

After inappropriate encounters with Ponder, an inmate from Hope for Prisoners said he “told me verbatim that he has Joe Lombardo on speed dial and if I was ever to say anything, that he would make my stay in prison longer.” In April, Ponder was banned from Nevada prisons and Metro is urging additional victims to contact the police. Ponder was pardoned by Lombardo’s “commanding officer” Donald Trump in 2020.

Nevada Current: Hope for Prisoners board was advised to fire Ponder in 2020, letter confirms

Key points below:

When President Donald Trump issued a pardon to Jon Ponder, a three-time convicted bank robber, at the Republican National Convention in August 2020, Ponder, the founder and CEO of Hope for Prisoners, unbeknownst to Trump, was under investigation by the organization’s board of directors and in danger of losing his job.
An attorney hired by the board to investigate allegations of sexual impropriety against Ponder eventually recommended to the board that Ponder be fired. The board ignored the recommendation.
According to Wildeveld’s letter, the board, which included Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, who was undersheriff at the time to then-sheriff and now Gov. Joe Lombardo, and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, declined to accept the recommendation to fire Ponder after Trump issued the pardon.

“Legitimate concerns regarding Jon Ponder and his actions and their effect on the program were brought to the Board’s attention,” Wildeveld wrote. “The Board dismissed those concerns despite the significant evidence…”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. arrested Ponder on Tuesday. He is charged with nine felony counts and 11 gross misdemeanors. The charges include sexual assault, sexual abuse of a prisoner by an employee, contractor, or volunteer, and coercion of a sexual nature. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Metro is asking others who may have been victimized by Ponder to contact police.
Lombardo, McMahill, and Wolfson did not respond when asked Wednesday if they regret not taking action to protect Nevada inmates and other potential victims.

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