'Dances With Wolves' Actor Sentenced to Life for Sexual Assault

Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the film Dances With Wolves, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls. According to multiple reports, a Nevada judge handed down the sentence on Monday following a jury conviction on 13 charges related to sexual assault. The victims included three women, one of whom was just 14 years old when the abuse began.

The sentencing concluded a lengthy legal process that started with Chasing Horse's arrest and indictment in 2023. As reported by The Guardian, the initial arrest triggered further investigations in other states and Canada, where additional criminal charges are still pending. The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023 for an alleged offense near Keremeos, a village about four hours east of Vancouver.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on vulnerable women and girls. According to The Guardian, Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told jurors that for nearly 20 years, Chasing Horse 'spun a web of abuse' that ensnared many victims. Multiple witnesses described how they participated in his ceremonies or sought medical help from him before being assaulted.

Chasing Horse denied all allegations and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. His attorney questioned the credibility of the main accuser, calling her a 'scorned woman,' and filed a motion for a new trial on grounds that included witness qualifications and statute of limitations issues. The motion was ultimately denied, as reported by HuffPost. Victims and their families testified about the lasting trauma and struggle to regain their faith after Chasing Horse's actions.