Nathan Chasing Horse to Be Sentenced After Conviction for Sexual Abuse of Indigenous Women and Girls
Nathan Chasing Horse, an actor renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning film Dances With Wolves, is set to be sentenced next Wednesday following his conviction for sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls. This case has had a profound impact on Native American communities across the United States.
The sentencing follows a Nevada jury’s decision about a month ago, which found Chasing Horse guilty on 13 out of the 21 charges against him, including serious allegations involving a victim who was just 14 years old when the abuse began. While the jury acquitted him of several other sexual assault charges, Chasing Horse has consistently denied all allegations.
Should he be sentenced to the minimum penalty, Chasing Horse faces at least 25 years in prison.
Chasing Horse, who hails from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, gained fame for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot. Over the years, he traveled extensively within Indian Country, participating in powwows and conducting healing ceremonies. Several victims reported either involvement in these ceremonies or seeking medical assistance from him.
One of the key accusations came from a victim who stated that in 2012, when she was 14, Chasing Horse allegedly manipulated her into believing that spiritual forces demanded she sacrifice her virginity to save her mother, who was battling cancer. According to Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci, he subsequently assaulted her, threatening further harm if she spoke out about the abuse, which reportedly continued for years.
In the aftermath of the verdict, Chasing Horse’s attorney sought a new trial, claiming deficiencies in the qualifications of a witness who spoke on grooming behaviors, along with an argument that the statute of limitations had expired. The motion was rejected by the presiding judge.
This sentencing marks a significant culmination of a multi-year prosecution effort, which began in 2023 after his arrest drew substantial media attention and led authorities in other jurisdictions—including those in Canada—to investigate additional allegations.
Chasing Horse also faces sexual assault charges stemming from an incident reported in September 2018 near Keremeos, British Columbia. These proceedings were temporarily halted in November 2023 but resumed following developments in the U.S. case.
In addition, he has been banned from the Tsuut’ina Nation in Alberta, where a warrant has been issued against him for multiple counts of sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
Once all appeals in the U.S. case conclude, prosecutors in British Columbia will assess the next steps, according to communications counsel Damienne Darby in correspondence with the Associated Press.
The long history of violence against Native American women is alarming; reports indicate that over 80% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence, with more than half having faced sexual violence, as highlighted by research from the National Institute of Justice.
Reporting contributed by the Associated Press.
Source: Original Source
