Nathan Chasing Horse, ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor, sentenced to 37 years to life

Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to 37 years to life in prison after being convicted of multiple charges involving the sexual assault of Indigenous women and girls, in a case prosecutors said spanned years.

A Las Vegas jury found the 49-year-old guilty of 13 of the 21 charges he faced in January, following an 11-day trial that included testimony from several victims, according to the Associated Press.

Sentence follows years of allegations

Judge Jessica Peterson ruled that Chasing Horse must serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible for parole. He was also credited with 1,184 days already spent in custody since his arrest in 2023.

During the sentencing hearing, Chasing Horse denied the allegations and described the verdict as a “miscarriage of justice”.

Prosecutors said the convictions stemmed from multiple counts of sexual assault and related offences, accusing him of exploiting his position as a self-described spiritual leader to target victims.

Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles said victims had come forward over decades but were not heard.

“I hope this verdict gives them some peace,” he said.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said the outcome sent a clear message that abuse would not be tolerated, regardless of a defendant’s public persona or claims of authority.

Influence used to gain victims’ trust

Authorities said Chasing Horse used his influence within Native American communities, where he was known by some as a “Medicine Man” or “Holy Person”, to gain the trust of victims before carrying out abuse.

The charges he was convicted of included 10 counts of sexual assault of a minor under 16, one count of open or gross lewdness, one count of sexual assault, and one count related to possession of material depicting sexual conduct involving a child.

The investigation began after a tip in October 2022, although officials said some allegations dated back years. He was taken into custody in 2023 after police executed a search warrant at his home.

Authorities also confirmed that he faces additional charges in other states and in Canada, with an active warrant in Alberta linked to a separate case.

The Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service described the conviction as a significant step towards justice for survivors, praising those who came forward.

The sentencing marks a major development in a long-running case, with further legal proceedings still pending in other jurisdictions.