A Nevada jury has delivered guilty verdicts against Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in the acclaimed film Dances With Wolves, on multiple charges of sexual assault involving a minor. The conviction represents the culmination of a protracted legal battle that began with his arrest and indictment in 2023, sending shockwaves through Indigenous communities across North America.
Verdict Reached After Three-Week Trial
Jurors in Las Vegas deliberated before finding Chasing Horse guilty on several counts of sexual assault, though he was acquitted on other related charges. Throughout the three-week trial, the court heard emotional testimony from three women who alleged they were sexually assaulted by the defendant, with some incidents occurring when they were underage. The actor had pleaded not guilty to all twenty-one original charges, with his defense team maintaining he was the victim of false accusations.
Prosecution's Case: Abuse of Spiritual Authority
Prosecutors presented a compelling narrative that Chasing Horse exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey upon Indigenous women and girls. Clark County Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci described in her closing statements how the defendant had "spun a web of abuse" for nearly two decades, ensnaring numerous victims through manipulation and spiritual coercion.
The majority of the guilty verdicts centered on conduct involving a single victim who was just fourteen years old when the abuse allegedly began in 2012. Prosecutors detailed how Chasing Horse allegedly told the teenager that spirits demanded she surrender her virginity to save her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Following the assault, he reportedly threatened that if she disclosed what happened, her mother would die.
Defense Arguments and Acquittals
Defense attorney Craig Mueller challenged the prosecution's case during his closing arguments, asserting there was no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony to substantiate the allegations. He specifically questioned the credibility of the main accuser, characterizing her as a "scorned woman" with questionable motives. Prosecutors countered that sexual assault cases rarely involve eyewitnesses, typically occurring behind closed doors where only perpetrator and victim are present.
Cultural Context and Community Impact
The trial unfolded against the backdrop of growing awareness about violence against Native women, with authorities increasingly responding to what many describe as an epidemic within Indigenous communities. Dances With Wolves, released in 1990, was celebrated as one of the most prominent films featuring Native American actors, winning multiple Academy Awards and bringing unprecedented attention to Indigenous stories.
Following his appearance in the film, Chasing Horse traveled extensively across North America, performing traditional healing ceremonies and building a following. This spiritual authority, prosecutors argued, became a tool for exploitation rather than healing.
Courtroom Reactions and Aftermath
As the verdict was read in the Clark County courtroom, Chasing Horse stood quietly while victims and their supporters embraced in the hallway, many wearing yellow ribbons as symbols of solidarity. The convictions mark a significant moment in a case that has drawn attention to the complex intersections of celebrity, spiritual authority, and criminal accountability within Native communities.
The legal proceedings have highlighted the challenges in prosecuting sexual assault cases, particularly those involving spiritual manipulation and delayed reporting. While the jury returned guilty verdicts on multiple charges, the partial acquittals demonstrate the nuanced nature of the evidence presented during the three-week trial.
