LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — HOPE for Prisoners CEO Jon Ponder appeared out of custody for Tuesday morning court hearing after posting bond on his $200,000 bail, according to court records.
Ponder was arrested last week on multiple felony charges after being accused of using his position to abuse female inmates during visits to NDOC facilities. He faces 20 charges in total, including sexual assault, sexual abuse of a prisoner, and six counts of unauthorized custodial conduct.
During Tuesday’s hearing, his attorney David Chesnoff asked a judge to postpone Ponder’s arraignment on those charges.
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“The Board of Directors of HOPE for Prisoners is shocked and deeply concerned by the recent charges brought against its CEO, Jon Ponder,” the organization said in a statement released Thursday. “These allegations are extremely serious and entirely inconsistent with the core values of the organization.”
The board stated that HOPE’s daily operations will continue without interruption.
Ponder is due back in court on Sept. 2.
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