Summary (tl;dr)

Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in "Dances with Wolves," has been convicted by a Nevada jury on multiple charges of sexually assaulting a minor, culminating a years-long legal process.

Essential Background

Nathan Chasing Horse gained public recognition as a young actor in the 1990 film "Dances with Wolves". Over the past two decades, however, he allegedly exploited his reputation as a spiritual leader and "medicine man" to take advantage of Indigenous women and girls across North America. Authorities raided his home in January 2023, leading to his arrest near North Las Vegas, where he reportedly lived with five wives. He was accused of leading a cult known as "The Circle," with followers believing he could communicate with spirits. The case has faced legal twists, including an earlier indictment being dismissed in 2024 by the Nevada Supreme Court, though charges were later refiled. In 2015, tribal leaders banned him from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana due to allegations including human trafficking, sexual abuse, and intimidation.

The Full Story

On January 30, 2026, a Nevada jury in Las Vegas convicted Nathan Chasing Horse on multiple charges related to the sexual assault of a minor. Most of the guilty verdicts centered on his conduct with a victim who was 14 years old when the abuse began. He was acquitted of other sexual assault charges. Just prior to the trial, on January 6, 2026, Chasing Horse was temporarily removed from a Las Vegas courtroom for disrupting proceedings and demanding a new attorney. His sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2026, where he faces a minimum of 25 years to life in prison. Chasing Horse also faces sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges in Alberta, Canada, with prosecutors there stating they will assess next steps after his U.S. sentencing and any appeals.

Why It Matters

This conviction marks a significant development in a case that has sent "shockwaves through Indian Country," highlighting the alleged abuse of power by individuals claiming spiritual authority within Indigenous communities. The widespread allegations, spanning multiple states and Canada, underscore concerns about the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls to exploitation. The outcome of this trial provides a measure of justice for victims after a prolonged legal battle.

Geographic Location

• North Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, United States (residency at time of arrest in 2023)
• Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, United States (arrest, trial, conviction, sentencing scheduled for March 11, 2026)
• Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana, United States (banned from the reservation in 2015)
• British Columbia, Canada (location where a victim reported being sexually assaulted in 2018)
• Alberta, Canada (facing sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges)