Dances With Wolves actor to be sentenced in Nevada after sexual abuse conviction

"The central accuser said she was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly claimed that spirits required her to give up her virginity in order to save her mother, who had cancer. According to deputy district attorney Bianca Pucci, he then assaulted her and warned that if she told anyone, her mother would die. Pucci said the abuse continued for years afterward."

"After portraying Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning film Dances With Wolves, Chasing Horse, who was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, traveled throughout Indian Country attending powwows and conducting healing ceremonies. Several victims said they either took part in those ceremonies or sought medical assistance from him."

"Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in Dances With Wolves, is scheduled to be sentenced next Wednesday after being convicted of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls, bringing to an end a case that deeply affected Native American communities across the country."

Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in Dances With Wolves, was convicted on 13 of 21 sexual abuse charges against Indigenous women and girls. A Nevada jury found him guilty following allegations that included abuse of a victim beginning at age 14, who claimed Chasing Horse used spiritual manipulation and threats to coerce her. The central accuser stated he falsely claimed spirits required her to surrender her virginity to save her mother's life, then assaulted her and threatened her mother would die if she disclosed the abuse. Chasing Horse, born on the Rosebud Reservation, traveled throughout Indian Country conducting healing ceremonies where several victims encountered him. His sentencing is scheduled for the following week, with a minimum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. His defense team's request for a new trial was rejected by the judge.

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