Nathan Chasing Horse Found Guilty of Sexual Assault Charges

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:35:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The actor, known for his role in 'Dances With Wolves,' faces a minimum of 25 years in prison after a jury convicted him on multiple counts involving Indigenous women and girls.

A jury in Las Vegas convicted Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor from 'Dances With Wolves', on Friday for sexually assaulting several Indigenous women and girls, leading to an expected minimum prison term of 25 years. The case, which highlighted a disturbing trend of violence against Native women, culminated in a tense courtroom atmosphere where emotional reactions from victims and supporters marked the verdict. Prosecutors emphasized that the decision sends a strong message against exploitation and abuse of vulnerable communities.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada jury on Friday convicted Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Dances With Wolves,” of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls, a case that has sent shock waves through Indian Country.

The jury, convened in Las Vegas, found the 49-year-old actor guilty on 13 of the 21 charges leveled against him. Most of the convictions were tied to the abuse of a victim who was only 14 at the time the assaults began. The jury acquitted Chasing Horse on some charges related to another victim who was older and had lived with him.

Chasing Horse now faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, with sentencing set for March 11. Authorities in British Columbia have also indicated they will pursue charges against him once his sentence and any potential appeals in the United States are resolved.

This verdict is the culmination of a lengthy effort to hold Chasing Horse accountable, following his arrest and indictment earlier this year. Prosecutors accused him of exploiting his image as a Lakota medicine man to target vulnerable Indigenous women and girls.

As the verdict was announced, emotions ran high in the courtroom, with victims and their supporters visibly emotional outside, wearing yellow ribbons as a symbol of hope and solidarity. District Attorney William Rowles expressed gratitude to the women who bravely testified against Chasing Horse, hoping they would find some peace following the ruling.

Defense attorney Craig Mueller expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to file a motion for a new trial, citing doubts about the validity of the accusations.

Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and gained fame for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot in the 1990 film. The trial garnered significant attention not only due to his celebrity status but also in the context of increasing acknowledgment of violence against Native women, which has become a pressing societal issue.

During the trial, jurors heard testimonies from three women who accused Chasing Horse of sexual assault. Prosecutor Bianca Pucci claimed that Chasing Horse had created a pattern of abuse over nearly two decades, targeting numerous victims.

In conclusion, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson underlined the significance of the verdict, emphasizing a message that abuse will not be tolerated, no matter one's public standing or claims of authority.