A Nevada jury delivered guilty verdicts Friday against actor and self-described Lakota spiritual leader Nathan Chasing Horse, holding him accountable on 13 of 21 charges for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls — including a victim who was 14 when the abuse began.
Actor Nathan Chasing Horse Convicted on Multiple Counts in Sexual Assault Case
The case, which drew national attention and concern in Native communities, demonstrated that no individual — regardless of celebrity status or cultural reputation — is above the law. Some observers, in a system that claims to treat everyone as equals, no one should be able to duck the consequences of what they have done.
Most of the convictions centered on Chasing Horse’s conduct with the underage victim; a separate set of charges, tied to relationships with adult women who lived with him, resulted in acquittals.
At 49 years old, Chasing Horse now faces a minimum of 25 years in prison under Nevada’s sentencing guidelines. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 11.
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Cross-Border Legal Questions Remain
Chasing Horse also faces related sex-crime charges in other U.S. states — and prosecutors in British Columbia, Canada, have stated they will decide on their own prosecution once U.S. sentencing and appeals are resolved. While the international elements certainly complicate the legal landscape, Canadian authorities are not deterred. Mirroring the American approach, Canadian officials have indicated they will not hesitate to bring charges—assuming, of course, that the legal groundwork is solid enough to support a trial.
Years-Long Pursuit of Justice
First arrested and indicted in 2023, Chasing Horse’s prosecution followed years of complaints from multiple women. Prosecutors alleged the defendant used his prominence as a Lakota medicine man and his association with the acclaimed film Dances With Wolves — in which he portrayed Smiles a Lot — as a way to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals.
As the verdict was read, Chasing Horse remained stoic. Victims and their supporters were visibly emotional outside the courtroom, embracing and wearing yellow ribbons in a display of solidarity. The primary victim declined to comment publicly.
Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles thanked the women who testified, emphasizing that their courage in speaking out was critical to the outcome.
“I just hope that the people who came forward over the years … can find some peace in this,” Rowles said.
Defense Response
Defense lawyer Craig Mueller indicated he plans to seek a new trial, telling reporters he was “confused and disappointed” and raising questions about the credibility of the accusers. While vigorous defense advocacy is a cornerstone of our judicial system, juries — not attorneys — are tasked with weighing evidence under oath.
Background: Celebrity and Cultural Impact
Best known for his role in Dances With Wolves — a rare Hollywood blockbuster that actually put Native talent center stage — Chasing Horse’s roots go back to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. That prominence made this case especially prominent in media coverage.
The trial also intersected with broader national conversations about violence against Indigenous women — an issue that has drawn attention from law enforcement and advocacy groups alike.
Testimony and the Jury’s Decision
During the 11-day trial, the jury heard testimony from three women who accused Chasing Horse of sexual assault at various points in their lives, including when they were minors.
Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci argued that Chasing Horse had “spun a web of abuse” over nearly two decades, while defense counsel contested the evidence and questioned key testimony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LzevAHNk00&list=RDNS2LzevAHNk00&start_radio=1
Prosecutors countered that the nature of sexual assault cases — occurring in private without independent eyewitness testimony — is not unusual, and that jurors are trained to assess credibility accordingly.
According to court filings, the primary accuser testified that the defendant sexually abused her beginning in 2012, when she was a 14-year-old girl living in his circle. The prosecution’s case hinges on the idea that he turned her own beliefs against her, using her spirituality as a tool to ensure she would not speak out. He reportedly warned her that any interference with their “spiritual mission” would place her mother — who was then fighting cancer — in grave spiritual or physical danger.
A Clear Message from the Court
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, present in the courtroom for the verdict, stressed that the outcome “sends a clear message that exploitation and abuse will not be tolerated, regardless of the defendant’s public persona or claims of spiritual authority.”
In a nation founded on the rule of law, justice must be blind to fame, position, and persuasive charisma. The jury’s decision underscores that personal accountability — not celebrity — determines consequences under the law.
