Rodney Jones confronts Children's Trust over money after his arrest

Rodney Jones, former head of New World Believers’ HOOPS program, pressed the Escambia Children’s Trust for reimbursements after funding was cut on Jan. 8 amid a Florida DJJ investigation. Jones was arrested Jan. 22 on sexual battery charges involving a minor, and is free on bond. He says NWB spent money in November and December 2025 and seeks reimbursement documentation, though he did not specify an amount. The Children’s Trust had awarded the HOOPS program $1,711,510 in October 2023 to serve 160 youths annually for three years; as of Nov. 30, 2025, $901,972 had been received that year with $503,801 remaining, and unused funds totaling $305,736 were returned. No action was taken at the Tuesday board meeting.