WARNING: This website provides detailed information about a violent sexual assault. Visitors are advised to exercise caution.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking or threats, confidential help is available. The Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence can connect you with local services, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Program provides resources and advocacy for crime victims, and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Nebraskans are asking why…
Why did Pete Ricketts vote to pardon a man convicted of violently raping a woman at knifepoint?
Why didn’t Ricketts speak to the victim? Why wasn’t she told about the hearing? Why wasn’t she in the room? Why wasn’t she heard?
Watch Her Story
Not only did John Arias tie Jody up, rape her at knifepoint, and threaten to kill her … He continued to threaten and harass her and her children from prison.
With the Arias pardon, Pete Ricketts voted to restore the attacker’s gun rights and remove Arias from Nebraska’s Sex Offender Registry, even though he pleaded guilty and continued to threaten Jody from prison. Part of Arias’ guilty plea was the requirement that he would remain on the sex offender registry for life. Ricketts gave that away.
About the
Ricketts Pardon
Pete Ricketts cast the deciding vote to pardon John Arias, a man convicted of sexually assaulting his estranged wife. His victim was never notified about the hearing and never had the opportunity to be heard.
John Arias was convicted of raping his estranged wife, Jody. Arias arrived at Jody’s home with a large serrated hunting knife and parachute cord. Their two sons, ages five and seven, were there.
Arias forced Jody toward a bedroom at knifepoint. She described being tied up, gagged and repeatedly raped while Arias threatened to kill her. Her children could hear what was happening. After the assaults, Arias fled to Texas, taking the children with him, leaving Jody bound and gagged.
Texas Rangers arrested Arias in Canadian, Texas on May 2, 1993. Arias ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault. Five additional felony charges and one misdemeanor were dropped as part of the plea agreement, including charges involving a weapon, terroristic threats and false imprisonment. He was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison, and was denied parole multiple times.
After his conviction, Jody testified that Arias “continued to torment and threaten” her while he was incarcerated, issuing threatening letters and phone calls. She said that rather than apologizing to her or their children, he told her that she “deserved what happened to her” and that she should “watch [her] back for the rest of [her] life.”
On September 19, 2022, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts cast the deciding vote as a member of the Board of Pardons to pardon Arias.
Jody wasn't in the room. Ricketts’ administration failed to notify her that the pardon was even happening. She wasn’t able to exercise her legal right to testify at the hearing. Her story wasn’t considered.
Jody found out that the pardon had happened from the local news.
What Happened That Night
This was more than sexual assault.
In testimony before the Nebraska Legislature, Jody described what happened inside her home in April 1993.
Her estranged husband, John Arias, arrived armed with a large hunting knife and carrying parachute cord.
Their two young sons, ages five and seven, and another child were there.
Jody testified that Arias forced her into the bedroom, tied her up with parachute cord, gagged her and repeatedly raped her while threatening to kill her with the hunting knife.
The children were in the next room.
She testified that Arias told her his intention that night was to kill her.
After the assaults, Arias fled to Texas with the children.
Jody was left behind, bound and gagged.
About the Pardon Hearing
Pete Ricketts at the Pardon hearing.
On September 19, 2022, John Arias appeared before the Nebraska Board of Pardons. About 20 American Legion members sat together in support of Arias as the three-member board considered his request. His victim, Jody, was not there. She was never notified that the hearing was happening. At the end of the hearing, Attorney General Doug Peterson voted yes. Secretary of State Bob Evnen voted no, saying Arias had not fully “come to grips” with what he had done. Pete Ricketts cast the deciding vote. The pardon was granted on 2–1 vote.
Ricketts: "You threatened to kill her?"
Arias: "Yes"
Ricketts: "Yeah that's terroristic threats"
Ricketts: "Can we get a roll call, please?"
Administrator: "Governor Ricketts?"
Ricketts: "YES"
“It is a very serious charge that you are getting a pardon for today…. so… but with that… you got your pardon.”
– Pete Ricketts
FAQ: Pete Ricketts - Arias Pardon
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Pete Ricketts was Nebraska’s governor and a member of the three-person Nebraska Board of Pardons. He presided over the September 19, 2022 hearing at which John Arias sought a pardon for his first-degree sexual assault conviction.
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Ricketts voted yes. Attorney General Doug Peterson also voted yes, while Secretary of State Bob Evnen voted no. The pardon was granted 2–1.
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Arias had pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault stemming from a 1993 attack on his estranged wife, Jody. Jody later testified that Arias tied and gagged her and repeatedly raped her while threatening her with a hunting knife. Their young children and a nephew were nearby.
The pardon restored Arias’ gun and voting rights and allowed him to be removed from Nebraska’s Sex Offender Registry. -
No. Jody was not at the pardon hearing because the Ricketts administration did not notify her that the pardon was happening. She only found out weeks later through the news.
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Threats were discussed during the pardon hearing. Arias acknowledged threatening Jody on the night of the assault. Jody later testified that the threatening behavior continued during his imprisonment and that Arias at one point told her she should “watch my back for the rest of my life.”
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No. Secretary of State Bob Evnen voted against the pardon, saying Arias did not appear to have fully “come to grips” with the seriousness of what he had done.
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The pardon restored Arias’ gun and voting rights and allowed him to be removed from Nebraska’s Sex Offender Registry. Arias had specifically indicated that he was seeking restoration of his gun rights and said getting off the registry was a major reason he wanted the pardon.
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Nebraska law already recognized victims’ rights in pardon proceedings, but the Arias case exposed significant gaps in how victims were actually notified. Jody says she received no notice of Arias’ hearing. Nebraska subsequently changed its law to require certified-mail notice to qualifying victims at least 30 days before pardon and commutation proceedings.
Read More
The pardon of John Arias
Reporting on the assault, pardon, and Jody’s account.
Source: Nebraska Examiner
The controversy surrounding the pardon
Reporting on the aftermath of the Board of Pardons’ decision and criticism of the American Legion’s involvement.
Source: Nebraska Examiner
Jody speaks to Nebraska lawmakers
Coverage of Jody’s testimony about not receiving notice of the pardon hearing and proposed changes to Nebraska law.
Source: Nebraska Examiner
September 19, 2022 Board of Pardons agenda
The official agenda for the hearing at which Arias’ pardon application was considered.
Source: Nebraska Board of Pardons
Nebraska pardons information
Official information explaining Nebraska pardons and their effects.
Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch
Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Confidential support and local resources for survivors across Nebraska.
Source: Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence