LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A judge reduced bail for HOPE for Prisoners founder Jon Ponder from $1 million to $400,000 cash Wednesday morning. Ponder repeatedly shook his head as a prosecutor detailed the allegations against him.”Jon Ponder is prolific sexual predator,” Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Fleck told District Judge Ron Israel. >>Download the free 8 News+ app for live newscasts and streaming originals Ponder is charged with 25 counts, including four counts of sexual assault, two counts each of sexual abuse of a prisoner by a prison employee, contractor or volunteer and first-degree kidnapping, 10 counts of unauthorized custodial contact with prisoners by a prison employee, contractor, or volunteer, six counts of unauthorized custodial contact with a prisoner by a prison employee, contractor, or volunteer, and one count of open or gross lewdness.Hope for Prisoners founder Jon Ponder appears in court on Aug. 20 after he was arrested on 20 charges for “sexually based crimes.” (KLAS)Fleck said that Ponder committed three different sexual assaults in 2015, 2023, and 2025, and that he targeted women, mainly single mothers who had served time in prison, whom he was supposed to be helping. From Las Vegas community leader to accused sex predator: Inside Jon Ponder case “The conduct in these sexual assaults ranges from the defendant using submission from fear to him using his position at HOPE for Prisoners and the power he held there to get women to submit to him all the way to forced penetration,” she said.A Clark County grand jury listened to the testimony, much of it graphic, and indicted Ponder on sex crimes against seven women over the course of 11 years. Ponder’s alleged crimes spanned from 2015 to 2026.The indictment prompted Clark County District Judge Carli Kierny to increase Ponder’s bail to $1 million from $200,000.Defense attorney Robert Draskovich argued that Israel should reduce the bail to $200.00. Hope for Prisoners founder accused of sex crimes against 7 women; judge sets bail at $1M “He’s got a room full of people that will vouch for his lack of being a danger to the community and his future court appearances being made,” Draskovich told Israel.After an outburst in the courtroom, Israel issued a warning.”You disturb the court, you’re going to be removed and you’re going to face charges,” Israel said. “Whoever is doing that, you’re going to be in contempt. No talking.”HOPE for Prisoners is an organization that aims to help prison inmates reenter society.Las Vegas Metro police arrested Ponder on Aug. 18.President Donald Trump granted Ponder a pardon in August of 2020. Ponder said that he was a three-time convicted felon who was arrested for bank robbery and served a 63-month sentence. Ex-HOPE for Prisoners HR manager says he was fired for investigating Jon Ponder “And what did this man do with this extraordinary chance that he was given?” Fleck said. “He did not reform himself. He didn’t rehabilitate himself. Instead, he reinvented himself, and he became somebody that this community believed it could trust.”Ponder pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 16.In an interview after the hearing with 8 News Now, Draskovich said that Israel took a step in the right direction by reducing the bail amount. Former female inmates claim CEO of HOPE for Prisoners abused his position, asking for sexual favors and dirty talk: report “Jon Ponder has been an exemplary member of this community,” he said.Ponder faces six life sentences.To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
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