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Jensen requests new judge, still plans to plead guilty to federal charges

Billings Gazette - 3/2/2019

March 02-- Mar. 2--A federal court hearing for a former Miles City athletic trainer accused of systematic sexual abuse has been pushed back again.

James E. "Doc" Jensen has requested a new judge to hear his attempt to plead guilty to a charge of coercion and enticement of a minor, according to documents filed Thursday in federal court.

Jensen now wants a U.S. District Court judge to hear the plea, not a magistrate judge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan postponed a change of plea hearing for Jensen on Feb. 12 after expressing doubts about whether he had been charged correctly.

A scheduled March 4 hearing before Cavan has been cancelled.

The hearing has since been delayed multiple times, and federal prosecutors filed documents broadening their accusations.

Documents filed by Jensen's defense attorney say that he and Jensen are willing to travel to appear before a judge if need be. Prosecutors were consulted about the request and did not object.

"It is respectfully requested that the change of plea be scheduled in the near future if possible," the documents say.

Jensen faces 15 years in jail. He has been charged separately by the state with 10 felony counts of possessing child pornography. In addition, Jensen -- who court records allege may have "hundreds" of victims -- is being sued by a group of more than 30 alleged victim. The suit also names the Miles City Unified School District and Custer County District High School as defendants. The suit claims school officials should have knows about Jensen's system of abuse and stopped it.

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