Jon Ponder | |
---|---|
![]() Ponder in August 2020 | |
Nationality | American |
Criminal penalty | 5 years in prison |
Criminal status | Pardoned |
Jon Donyae Ponder is an American thrice-convicted bank-robber who after his release in 2009 has founded the Hope for Prisoners program in Nevada which helps former prisoners to reintegrate into society.[1]
Ponder's work was put into the national spotlight when President Donald Trump granted him a pardon during the 2020 Republican National Convention.[2] The pardon was publicized shortly before Ponder was scheduled to appear as a speaker at the event.[3]
Ponder grew up in New York City where he got involved with gangs as a teenager. He was first arrested for armed robbery at the age of 16.[4] In 2004, he was arrested for bank robbery in Las Vegas and sent to federal prison in Pennsylvania.[4][5]
In 2009, he founded Hope for Prisoners to enable former convicts to reintegrate into society, working with law enforcement (including the FBI agent who arrested Ponder) and local businesses.[3][4][5] According to researchers at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, between January and June 2015, 64% of participants of the program found stable employment while 6% of participants were arrested again.[4]