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We Got This Covered
Fred Onyango

Trump-pardoned convicted-bank-robber-turned-CEO arrested on felony sexual assault charges

Jon Ponder, the 60-year-old founder and CEO of the Las Vegas prisoner reentry program Hope for Prisoners, received a highly publicized pardon from Donald Trump in 2020. At the time, Trump held a televised White House ceremony to present Ponder as an example of redemption. But on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced Ponder’s arrest following a targeted investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.

According to Newsweek, Ponder is facing an extensive list of charges, including one count of felony sexual assault, seven counts of unauthorized custodial contact, one count of attempted coercion and 11 gross misdemeanor charges.

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