Nathan Chasing Horse Sentencing Scheduled for March 18 in Landmark Sexual Assault Case
The sentencing of former actor Nathan Chasing Horse for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls has been rescheduled to March 18, bringing a yearslong prosecution effort closer to conclusion. The case has sent shockwaves through Indian Country and drawn international attention.
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Chasing Horse, known for his role as Smiles a Lot in the Oscar-winning film "Dances With Wolves," was convicted by a Nevada jury approximately one month ago on 13 of 21 charges he faced. Most charges related to his conduct with a victim who was just 14 years old when the abuse began. He was acquitted of some sexual assault charges but now faces a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Originally scheduled for this Wednesday, the sentencing hearing was moved to March 18 after Judge Jessica Peterson agreed to the date change. Following the trial, defense attorney Craig Mueller filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that a witness was unqualified to discuss grooming techniques and that the statute of limitations had expired. That motion was denied by the court.
International Charges and Ongoing Investigations
The case extends beyond U.S. borders, with additional criminal charges pending in Canada. The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023 for an alleged offense that occurred in September 2018 near Keremeos, approximately four hours east of Vancouver.
Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, stated in an email that the Canadian case was paused in November 2023 due to the U.S. charges but resumed the following year. "After all of Chasing Horse's appeals have been exhausted, British Columbia prosecutors will assess next steps," Darby explained.
Furthermore, the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service in Alberta announced that an outstanding warrant remains against Chasing Horse following his conviction, and they are in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding this warrant.
Prosecution's Case and Victim Testimonies
Nevada prosecutors presented evidence that Chasing Horse exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls. Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told jurors that for nearly two decades, Chasing Horse "spun a web of abuse" that ensnared multiple victims.
Jurors heard emotional testimony from three women who described being sexually assaulted by Chasing Horse. The jury returned guilty verdicts on charges related to all three accusers. The primary accuser testified that she was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly told her that spirits demanded she give up her virginity to save her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer.
According to Pucci, Chasing Horse then sexually assaulted the girl and threatened that if she told anyone, her mother would die. The assaults continued for years. Chasing Horse has denied all allegations, with his attorney questioning the credibility of the main accuser, calling her a "scorned woman."
Background and Impact on Indian Country
Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, Chasing Horse gained recognition after his appearance in "Dances With Wolves" and subsequently traveled extensively across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies. Multiple victims described participating in these ceremonies or seeking medical help from him, only to be assaulted.
The initial arrest and indictment in 2023 reverberated throughout Indigenous communities, prompting law enforcement agencies in other states and Canada to pursue additional criminal charges. The sentencing on March 18 represents a significant milestone in a case that has highlighted systemic issues of abuse and exploitation within vulnerable populations.
