Hope for Prisoners CEO Jon Ponder’s criminal case has bounced from department to department in the Las Vegas Justice Court because of what court records indicate are conflicts with some of the judges.
Initially assigned to Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Nadia Wood, the case then went to Justice of the Peace Harmony Letizia and on Tuesday landed in front of Justice of the Peace Noreen DeMonte.
The charges Ponder faces include counts of unauthorized conduct with a prisoner, a count of sexual assault and a count of open or gross lewdness.
Authorities have alleged that he sexually abused inmates of the Jean Conservation Camp and Casa Grande Transitional Housing.
“We’re going to be hard pressed to find any judge here in Clark County, Nevada, that hasn’t participated in those Hope for Prisoners graduations, and I’m certainly no exception to that,” DeMonte said.
Citing a rule on judicial conduct, she added: “I do have a responsibility to decide, regardless of that. I don’t see any reason why I can’t be fair and impartial.”
Defense attorney Robert DeMarco and Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles said they had no objection.
Ponder wore a gray suit and said nothing in the hearing or when a reporter approached him afterward.
Instead of being arraigned Tuesday, DeMarco asked for a one-week delay for confirmation of counsel, suggesting that Ponder’s lawyers could change.
Ponder, a former bank robber, was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020. Hope for Prisoners, which has placed Ponder on leave, helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate in the community.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
