A Nevada judge sentenced Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in 'Dances With Wolves,' to life in prison on Monday for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls. A jury had previously convicted him of 13 charges, mostly related to sexual assault, after a trial that concluded earlier this year. The victims, including one who was 14 when the assaults began, testified about the lasting trauma caused by Chasing Horse, who exploited his position as a spiritual leader. Chasing Horse, who wore his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, denied the charges and told the judge, 'This is a miscarriage of justice.'
The sentencing concludes a years-long effort to prosecute Chasing Horse, who was first arrested and indicted in 2023. His arrest triggered additional charges in other states and Canada, where he faces pending sexual assault allegations. The British Columbia Prosecution Service charged him in February 2023 for an alleged offense in September 2018 near Keremeos, a village about four hours east of Vancouver. In Alberta, the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service issued a warrant for his arrest, which remains outstanding.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse weaponized his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on vulnerable women and girls. Victims and their families described how the abuse shattered their faith and left lasting emotional scars. Judge Jessica Peterson noted Chasing Horse's continued denial of the charges despite the evidence presented in court. Chasing Horse will be eligible for parole after serving 37 years.