LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Channel 13 continues to peel back the layers to learn more after the arrest of Jon Ponder, the CEO of nonprofit Hope for Prisoners, who is facing 20 charges for alleged sex crimes.
WATCH | Mary Kielar sat down with Rodney Taylor, who credits the program with helping him get back on track in the community after being incarcerated:
He graduated from the re-entry program at the nonprofit, then worked there from 2017 to 2020.
When asked about the first time he met Ponder, Taylor said it was at a pre-vocational workshop through the program.
“I didn’t know who he was,” he remembered. “I just know he came into the room, and everybody was in awe. And I was like, who is this gentleman? Very charismatic, very powerful, very incredible speaker, very motivating.”
But throughout his time there, Taylor said he noticed some of Ponder’s behaviors that didn’t sit right with him.
He wrote a letter to the Board of Directors in May 2020 following his resignation the month before.
Now, six years later, his former boss stands accused of using his position and power in the program to sexually abuse women.
Ponder was arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Aug 18.
“I wasn’t surprised when it happened," Taylor said. "I’m surprised that it took this long for it to happen."
As for the allegations of abuse, Taylor said, “If it is true, I apologize to all of them. This is not what they should have experienced coming to Hope for Prisoners.”
Ponder is out on bail as his case is handled in the court system.
The Board of Directors told Channel 13 in a statement a few days after his arrest that he is on administrative leave, but services and programming at Hope for Prisoners will continue without interruption.
