LAS VEGAS (AP) — The jury trial for Nathan Chasing Horse, the former “Dances with Wolves” actor accused of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls, began Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Prosecutors allege he used his reputation as a spiritual leader and healer to take advantage of his victims over two decades. Chasing Horse, who was present in the courtroom Tuesday, has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a minor, first degree kidnapping of a minor, and the use of a minor in producing pornography.
The case sent shock waves across Indian Country when he was arrested and indicted in early 2023. After many setbacks and delays, the case finally proceeded to trial after prosecutors added allegations that Chasing Horse filmed himself sexually abusing a girl younger than 14.
Best known for portraying the character Smiles A Lot in the 1990 movie “Dances with Wolves,” Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation. Following his appearance in the Oscar-winning film, Chasing Horse claimed to be a Lakota medicine man, performing healing ceremonies across North America.
Prosecutors say Chasing Horse led a cult called The Circle, where his followers believed he could communicate with spirits. Many approached him for medical help. One victim, only 14 at the time, sought his assistance for her mother's cancer treatment. Allegedly, Chasing Horse told her that spirits demanded she give up her virginity in exchange for her mother's health, leading to his sexual abuse of her, a claim she testified to before a grand jury.
In 2024, the original indictment against him was dismissed by the Nevada Supreme Court, which stated prosecutors had mishandled the grand jury proceedings. Despite the dismissal, the court indicated that charges could be refiled, which occurred in October 2024, alongside new allegations of Chasing Horse recording himself abusing one of the victims.
The jury selection commenced Tuesday and is expected to take several days. The prosecution plans to call 18 witnesses and the trial could last up to four weeks. Tensions were evident when Chasing Horse attempted to dismiss his legal counsel moments before proceedings began; Judge Jessica Peterson denied this request. Crystal Lee, CEO of United Natives, emphasized the importance of addressing the abuse occurring within Native communities during these proceedings.
