A former Miles City athletic trainer accused of a sophisticated system of sexual abuse was given a 20-year prison sentence for charges involving child pornography.
James Jensen, 79, appeared in Custer County District Court early Wednesday morning for sentencing, according to the Custer County Clerk of Court.
Jensen was a trainer at the Miles City Unified School District starting in the 1970s.
He was also sentenced recently in federal court in Billings by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen for charges of coercion and enticement. Prosecutors had recommended the maximum of 15 years because of the breadth of the abuse, which spanned decades. He received 12 year sentence in that case.
In October of 2018, Miles City police received information about child pornography on Jensen’s home computer found by a housekeeper at his retirement home.
Police got a search warrant and confiscated Jensen’s computer and a tablet.
Pictures containing nude boys engaging in sex acts were found on the devices.
Jensen must first serve out his federal prison sentence before serving time in Montana State Prison.
In a separate civil case, 32 of Jensen’s victims have sued the Miles City Unified School District for unspecified damages, claiming school officials and coaches were aware of the abuse and did not stop it. That case is pending.
