‘Dances With Wolves’ Actor Nathan Chasing Horse Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexual Assault

A Nevada judge sentenced “Dances with Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison Monday for sexually assaulting indigenous women and girls.

The jury had previously convicted him on 13 charges, mostly related to the sexual assault of three women.

The accusers and their families told Judge Jessica Peterson they continue to suffer from trauma caused by Chasing Horse, 49, and struggle with their faith after he exploited his position as a spiritual leader.

“There is no way to take back my youth, my childhood loss, my first time, my first kiss, the graduation I never had,” said Corena Leone-LaCroix, who was 14 when Chasing Horse attacked her. “The life the little girl could have had was taken away from me forever.”

The Associated Press generally does not use the names of alleged sexual assault victims unless they are publicly disclosed, as Leone-LaCroix did.

Chasing Horse, wearing his dark blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, looked directly ahead as victim statements were read and remained silent as he was escorted from the courtroom. He will be eligible for parole after serving 37 years in prison and has continued to deny the charges against him.

“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he told the judge on Monday.

Peterson said he was impressed that he continued to deny the charges despite the evidence shown at trial.

“You plundered the trust and spirituality of these women and manipulated them for your own personal gratification,” he said before announcing his sentence. More than a dozen people in the courtroom applauded when the hearing was adjourned.

Other charges in Canada are still pending. The sentencing caps a years-long prosecution effort after the former actor was first arrested and charged in 2023. This initial arrest reverberated throughout Indian Country, with law enforcement in other states and Canada filing more criminal charges. These charges are still pending.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service said Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023, but the alleged offense was dated in September 2018 near Keremeos, a village about four hours east of Vancouver. In November 2023, the trial was paused due to Chasing Horse’s charges in the United States, but resumed the following year.

Once all of Chasing Horse’s appeals are exhausted, British Columbia prosecutors will consider next steps, British Columbia Prosecution Service communications advisor Damienne Darby said in an email.

The Tsuut’ina National Police Service in Alberta said in a statement following Chasing Horse’s conviction in January that an arrest warrant against Chasing Horse remains outstanding in Alberta. Tsuut’ina National Police Service said it is in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service regarding the arrest warrant.

The hearing in January focused on his role as spiritual leader for Chasing Horse, who was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home of the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation. Following his role as young Sioux tribesman Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning film “Dances with Wolves,” Chasing Horse traveled throughout Indian Country attending meetings and performing healing ceremonies.

During his trial, Nevada prosecutors said Chasing Horse used his fame as a Lakota healer to prey on native women and girls.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told the jury that Chasing Horse “weave a web of abuse” that ensnared many women for almost 20 years.

Jurors heard from three women who said Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned guilty verdicts on some charges. He was acquitted in other cases.

Many victims in need of medical assistance described how they attended their ceremonies or went to Chasing Horse for medical assistance.

Chasing Horse allegedly told Leone-LaCroix that when she was 14, spirits asked her to give up her virginity to save her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer. He then sexually assaulted Pucci and told her that her mother would die if she told anyone. Pucci said the sexual assaults continued for years.

Chasing Horse has denied the allegations, and its lawyer has questioned the credibility of the main accuser, calling her a “scorned woman”. His lawyer had requested a new trial, arguing that the witness was not authorized to speak about the grooming issue and that the statute of limitations had expired. This motion was rejected.

Victims and family members testified that they struggled with their faith as a result of Chasing Horse’s actions. The victims’ mothers said Chasing Horse betrayed their trust and abused sacred traditions.

“Even today, I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,” said Lynnette Adams, the mother of Siera Begaye, one of the other victims.

The AP generally does not use the names of alleged sexual assault victims unless they come forward publicly or approve the use of their names, as Begaye does.

Begaye said she still faces complications after suffering an ectopic pregnancy as a result of the attack and being forced to undergo surgery.

“I choose to see this moment as a new beginning,” Begaye said. “I will rebuild my life, regain my voice, and continue to fight for the future I deserve.”