Trump Pardons Bank Robber-Turned Activist Jon Ponder

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Aug 25, 2020 09:42 PM EDT

Trump pardons Jon Ponder — Photo : Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a pardon of Jon Ponder before Ponder's schedules appearance at the Republican National Convention.

Trump pardoned Ponder hours before he was set to speak at the Republican convention on Tuesday.

Ponder is a convicted felon who turned an advocate for prisoners. He was imprisoned for six years and founded Hope for Prisoners in Las Vegas.

Trump addressed the prisoner re-entry group this year.

Ponder will be speaking at the convention with former FBI agent Richard Beasley. Beasley was the agent who arrested Ponder for bank robbery.

Ponder was a three-time convicted felon and was pardoned for other state convictions by Democrat Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak this year.

Trump said that Ponder's story is "a beautiful testament to the power of redemption."

The president added that he created one of the most successful reentry programs in Las Vegas, which is the Hope For Prisoners.

"Hope for prisoners is a movement that began as a dream, in a tiny prison cell, and is now making a difference in the lives of thousands, truly bringing hope that there is an opportunity and a community that is waiting and willing to offer them a second chance," Trump was quoted in a report.

Two White House officials said that Trump's video announcing Ponder's pardon will be played during the convention.

One official said that the president believes that Ponder represents the First Step Act.

Trump said he will continue to give all American, including former inmates, the best chance to build a new life and achieve their own American dream.

Jon Ponder

Ponder was from New York and became involved in gangs. He was also addicted to drugs and alcohol.

This led to his first arrest at the age of 12, according to Ponder. He spent the next 25 years in and out of prison before landing in a federal prison after a drug and alcohol induced bank robbery.

Ponder faced up to 23 years in federal prison. But he was only sentenced to five years.

Ponder started the Hope For Prisoners program after worrying from a prison cell how he was going to restart his life.

With this 18-month program that started in 2009, former inmates was provided job training, mentorship, and counseling.

The initiative has supported over 3,100 men and women former inmates re-entering society.

Trump met Ponder in 2018 when the president honored Ponder and Beasley at a White House Rose Garden ceremony.

Trump also attended in February a Hope for Prisoners graduation ceremony.

Ponder said that his hope for America is that former inmates will be given the opportunity to take advantage of the fact that they live in a nation of second chances.

"My hope for America is that law enforcement and people in communities across our country can come together and realize that as Americans we have more in common than we have differences," Ponder was quoted.