Hockey Camp Predator Faces 300 Years in Montana State Prison

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 25, 2026, the Montana Attorney General’s Office reported that a Montana man was sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen provided the following statement. 

“A Flathead County man was sentenced to 300 years at the Montana State Prison today for sexually abusing three children under the age of 12 from 2019 to 2021,” said Knudsen. “The man will not be eligible for parole for 60 years.” 

In September 2025, 50-year-old Jami Leslie James was found guilty on six counts of sexual intercourse without consent for sexually abusing three minor children from 2019 to 2021. 

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“James was initially charged after three survivors accused him of sexually abusing them at hockey camp, Knudsen said. “James, a former hockey coach, ran development skills camps across the state. In all three cases, the minors were between 8 and 9 years old and regularly attended James’ camps.” 

Since the children were under the age of 12, James initially faced up to 100 years in Montana State Prison with a 25-year restriction on parole for each of the six counts. 

“One survivor testified that James abused the children under the guise of indicating he was taking their temperature,” Knudsen said. “Another victim testified that James promised that the abuse would “make him fast” like the other players. The crimes occurred in Flathead and Butte-Silver Bow Counties. James was also designated a Tier 3 sex offender.” 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The case was investigated by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department, Columbia Falls Police Department, and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. Kelli Fivey and Stephanie Robles prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Butte-Silver Bow and Flathead County Attorney’s offices.