Billings Man Sentenced After Decades of Sexual Abuse

A Billings man who spent decades preying on vulnerable Native Americans in Montana has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison. James Kirby King, 58, will also serve 10 years of supervised release once his time behind bars is over.

Decades of Abuse Lead to Dozens of Convictions

King’s crimes spanned more than 30 years and involved victims ranging from children to adults. In September 2024, a federal judge found him guilty of an alarming list of charges, including aggravated sexual abuse of children, incest, sexual exploitation of children, sexual abuse by drugging or rendering victims unconscious, possession and attempted sale of child pornography in Indian Country, and attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

Crimes That Spanned Generations

Court documents showed King abused multiple victims identified in court as Jane Does to protect their privacy. Some of these individuals were under the age of 12 at the time, others were under 16, and several were adults. His crimes were carried out both on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, where he once lived, and later in Billings. The abuse began in the early 1990s and only ended with his arrest in 2023.

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Survivors’ Testimonies Expose a Lifetime of Exploitation

The stories shared during the trial reveal years of pain and manipulation. Jane Doe 1 recalled her earliest memory of being molested when she was just five years old in 1996. Around 1994 or 1995, Jane Doe 2 was 14 years old when King gave her alcohol at his home. She blacked out, only to wake up and realize he was sexually assaulting her and taking photos. Jane Doe 3 was targeted repeatedly, first as a child and later as an adult, while Jane Doe 4 described being drugged and raped in her 20s. Most recently, in 2023, King attempted to coerce Jane Doe 10 into sex trafficking.

Law Enforcement Collaboration Secures Conviction After Decades

Bringing this case to trial required years of effort and cooperation. The FBI, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services, and the Great Falls Police Department worked together to gather the evidence that prosecutors Amanda Myers and Ryan Weldon presented in court. Their combined work secured King’s conviction and ended decades of abuse.

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Sentence Brings Accountability and Highlights Survivors’ Courage

While no prison term can erase the trauma survivors endured, the sentence represents accountability after years of unchecked crimes. It also highlights the importance of survivors stepping forward and the critical role of law enforcement partnerships in stopping those who exploit vulnerable communities.