Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Dances With Wolves, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls earlier this year. The sentence was handed down by a Nevada judge on Monday, following a jury verdict in which Chasing Horse was found guilty on 13 charges, primarily related to sexual assault.
Details of the Case
The charges stemmed from accusations by three women, including one who was just 14 years old when the assaults began. Chasing Horse was acquitted on some charges. During the sentencing hearing, accusers and their families told Judge Jessica Peterson about the ongoing trauma caused by Chasing Horse, who exploited his position as a spiritual leader. Victims described struggling with their faith after his betrayal of their trust.
Chasing Horse, wearing his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight ahead as victims read their statements. He denied the charges, telling the judge, 'This is a miscarriage of justice.'
Background and Arrest
The sentencing concludes a yearslong effort to prosecute the former actor, who was first arrested and indicted in 2023. That arrest reverberated across Indian Country, prompting law enforcement in other states and Canada to file additional criminal charges. Those charges remain pending. The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023 for an alleged offense in September 2018 near Keremeos, British Columbia. The case was paused due to his U.S. charges but resumed in 2024. A warrant against Chasing Horse also remains outstanding in Alberta, according to the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service.
Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux. After his appearance as Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves, he traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies. Prosecutors said he used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls for nearly 20 years.
Trial Testimony
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told the jury that Chasing Horse 'spun a web of abuse' that ensnared many women. Jurors heard from three women who said Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. One victim, Corena Leone-LaCroix, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly told her the spirits wanted her to give up her virginity to save her mother, who had cancer. He then sexually assaulted her and threatened that if she told anyone, her mother would die. The assaults continued for years, Pucci said.
Chasing Horse denied the allegations, and his attorney questioned the main accuser's credibility, calling her a 'scorned woman.' The defense filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that a witness was not qualified to discuss grooming and that the statute of limitations had expired. The motion was denied.
Impact on Victims
Victims and their family members testified about the lasting impact of Chasing Horse's actions. One victim's mother said, 'Even to this day I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality.' Another victim said she still faces complications from an ectopic pregnancy resulting from the assault, which required surgery. One victim stated, 'I am choosing to see this moment as a fresh start. I will rebuild my life, reclaim my voice and continue fighting for the future I deserve.'
Dr. Crystal Lee, CEO and founder of United Natives, which supports victims of sexual abuse, expressed hope that the sentencing brings peace to the victims. She noted that Chasing Horse's case highlights the importance of holding high-profile perpetrators accountable and believing victims. 'I think it makes us question who we trust and why we trust,' Lee said.
