Police report alleges Ponder preyed on women in custody

Police records released Wednesday alleged that Jon Ponder, the CEO of Hope for Prisoners, used his access with the Nevada Department of Corrections and his presumed authority to sexually prey on female inmates seeking rehabilitation. The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Ponder, 60, on Tuesday, following an investigation launched in April after the Office of the Inspector General received allegations of sexual abuse against inmates at the Jean Conservation Camp and Casa Grande Transitional Housing. Ponder faces a total of 9 felonies and 11 gross misdemeanors, including suspicion of unauthorized interaction with a prisoner by a correctional worker or volunteer, attempted coercion, and attempted unauthorized interaction with a prisoner. The arrest report states, “It is evident this probe has revealed repetition and accordant similarities disclosing a calculated volition to groom and perpetrate connected susceptible women who deficiency the quality to consent oregon person a tenable anticipation of fearfulness if they bash not prosecute successful his intersexual acts,” the apprehension study states. It also says, “Ponder intentionally chooses women helium knows and believes person constricted opportunities