Actor Nathan Chasing Horse, best known for his role in the Academy Award-winning film 'Dances With Wolves,' has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls. The sentence was handed down on Monday by a Nevada judge, following a jury conviction on 13 charges, primarily related to sexual assault. 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 counts.
Victims Speak Out in Court
During the sentencing hearing, victims and their families addressed the court, describing the lasting trauma caused by Chasing Horse. They spoke of ongoing struggles with their faith after he exploited his position as a spiritual leader. Chasing Horse, dressed in his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight ahead as the victims read their statements. He denied the allegations, calling the proceedings a 'miscarriage of justice.'
Background of the Case
The sentencing marks the culmination of a years-long effort to prosecute the former actor, who was first arrested and indicted in 2023. In February 2023, the British Columbia Prosecution Service charged Chasing Horse with sexual assault for an alleged incident in September 2018 near Keremeos, British Columbia. The case was paused in November 2023 due to his charges in the United States but resumed the following year. Additionally, a warrant remains outstanding in Alberta, as confirmed by the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service, which stated it is in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors' Office regarding the matter.
Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation. After his appearance in 'Dances With Wolves' as Smiles a Lot, he traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies.
Prosecution's Case
During the trial, Nevada prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls. Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told the jury that for nearly 20 years, Chasing Horse 'spun a web of abuse' that ensnared many women. Jurors heard testimony from three women who said Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned guilty verdicts on some charges related to all three.
Multiple victims described how they participated in his ceremonies or sought medical help from him. Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of the victims, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly told her that 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. The Associated Press typically does not name alleged sexual assault victims unless they come forward publicly, as Leone-LaCroix has.
Defense Response
Chasing Horse denied the allegations, and his attorney questioned the credibility of the main accuser, 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 their struggle with faith as a result of Chasing Horse's actions. The mothers of the victims said he betrayed their trust and abused sacred traditions. 'Even to this day, I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,' one mother said. Another victim reported still facing complications from an ectopic pregnancy resulting from the assault, which required surgery. One victim expressed hope: '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.'
