Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor recognised for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot in the acclaimed film "Dances With Wolves," is scheduled to receive his sentence on Wednesday morning for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls. This sentencing marks the culmination of a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves throughout Indian Country, drawing widespread attention and concern.
Conviction and Legal Proceedings
The sentencing follows a Nevada jury's conviction of Chasing Horse on 13 out of 21 charges approximately one month ago. Most of these convictions are connected to his conduct with a victim who was just 14 years old when the assaults began. While he was acquitted of some sexual assault charges, Chasing Horse now faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 25 years, underscoring the severity of the offences.
Defence Appeals and Denials
After the trial, Chasing Horse's attorney, Craig Mueller, filed a motion requesting a new trial. Mueller argued that a witness was not qualified to discuss grooming techniques and that the statute of limitations had expired for certain allegations. However, this motion was denied by the court, allowing the sentencing to proceed as planned.
Years-Long Prosecution Effort
This sentencing concludes a protracted effort to prosecute the former actor, who was first arrested and indicted in 2023. His initial arrest resonated powerfully across Indian Country, prompting law enforcement agencies in other states and Canada to pursue additional criminal charges against him.
International Charges and Outstanding Warrants
The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023, related to an alleged offence near Keremeos in September 2018. Although the case was paused in November 2023 due to his U.S. charges, it resumed the following year. Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the service, stated that British Columbia prosecutors will assess next steps once all of Chasing Horse's appeals are exhausted.
Additionally, the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service in Alberta issued a statement following his conviction, noting that an outstanding warrant remains against him and that they are in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding this matter.
Prosecution's Case and Victim Testimonies
Nevada prosecutors asserted that Chasing Horse exploited 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 two decades, Chasing Horse "spun a web of abuse" that ensnared numerous victims.
During the trial, jurors heard testimonies from three women who detailed how Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned guilty verdicts on some charges related to all three accusers, highlighting the pattern of abuse.
Background and Alleged Grooming Tactics
Following his role in Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning film "Dances With Wolves," Chasing Horse, who was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, travelled extensively across Indian Country to attend powwows and conduct healing ceremonies. Multiple victims described participating in these ceremonies or seeking medical help from him.
The primary accuser was 14 years old 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, he then sexually assaulted her and threatened that if she disclosed the abuse, her mother would die. These assaults reportedly continued for years.
Defence Arguments and Denials
Chasing Horse has consistently denied all allegations. His attorney questioned the credibility of the main accuser, characterising her as a "scorned woman" in an attempt to undermine her testimony. Despite these defences, the jury's convictions have paved the way for the impending sentencing, bringing a measure of closure to a case that has deeply affected Indigenous communities and beyond.
