The H.O.O.P.S. program, which received public support, faces questions while police review allegations from a teen who once attended.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 57-year-old Pensacola community figure who runs a youth basketball and mentoring program was arrested Jan. 22 on a sexual battery warrant, and his 26-year-old son was arrested earlier on a witness-tampering charge, authorities said.
The arrests of Rodney Terrell Jones, executive director of New World Believers’ H.O.O.P.S. program, and his son, Rodrico Lavell Jones, mark a turning point for an initiative that has operated with public funding. Police say the criminal investigation is active. The son’s arrest report outlines a series of contacts with the teen’s family after a Dec. 23 report at Gulf Coast Kids House, a child-advocacy center. With records noting bond amounts of $250,000 for the father and $50,000 for the son, local leaders are also weighing the future of the program while the courts take up the case.
According to the son’s report, the teen who went to H.O.O.P.S. had made an allegation against Rodney Jones. On Jan. 3, through his lawyer, Jones told detectives he was willing to speak and said the claims were not true. On Jan. 5, one of Jones’ adult children messaged the teen’s family on Facebook. On Jan. 7, that person allegedly entered the family’s apartment without warning and demanded to talk. Later the same day, the report states, Rodrico Jones approached a relative at the Beer City gas station on N. Pace Boulevard and offered $10,000 if the teen recanted. The report says the family felt intimidated and later reported that a white van with the H.O.O.P.S. emblem came to their complex on Jan. 8 or 9 as two other adult children, who are not charged, asked what the teen told police.
Pensacola police arrested the son Jan. 18 on a felony tampering count. Officers took Rodney Jones into custody four days later on a charge of sexual battery of a victim age 16 or 17. Jail logs showed the father’s bond at $250,000 and listed a court date of Feb. 13. Both men were released the afternoon of Jan. 23 after posting bond, according to jail updates. Police have not released the father’s arrest report, and have not described physical evidence. Officials did not say whether additional people had reported concerns, leaving open how wide the police review may become or how many program activities are part of the timeline under scrutiny.
The H.O.O.P.S. program, which focuses on underprivileged youth through athletics and mentoring, has drawn more than $900,000 from the Escambia Children’s Trust since 2023. About two weeks ago, the trust suspended funding to New World Believers related to the investigation. The pause places pressure on schedules for gym time, transportation and staffing that rely on reimbursement. H.O.O.P.S. has been known for clinics and outreach with local schools and churches. Community groups that partner with youth activities said Friday they are reviewing arrangements while they await public records and any formal charging decisions from prosecutors.
Legal steps ahead include prosecutors reviewing the police file, booking the case on the felony docket and, if charges move forward, setting arraignment dates and discovery deadlines. For Rodney Jones, the listed court date is Feb. 13 in Escambia County. The son’s case follows a separate track for witness tampering and could see an early status conference before spring. If filings arrive this week, defense motions may seek limits on statements or contact with potential witnesses. Police said more information would be released as appropriate and did not provide additional comment Saturday.
Outside the child-advocacy center Friday, families described a busy lobby and a steady flow of appointments. Near the N. Pace Boulevard gas station, a clerk said investigators asked about surveillance footage from the evening of Jan. 7. In the neighborhood where a white van was reportedly seen, one resident said they noticed people asking which unit the teen’s family lived in. A former volunteer with H.O.O.P.S. said she hopes youth activities continue safely and that facts come out in court. Neither Rodney Jones nor his son responded to messages seeking comment after their release on bond.
As of Saturday, the investigation remains open and no additional arrests had been announced. The next visible step is the Feb. 13 hearing listed for Rodney Jones, with prosecutors expected to decide on formal charges before that date or at the session.
Author note: Last updated January 25, 2026.