Actor Nathan Chasing Horse convicted of sexual assault charges

Jury finds 'Dances With Wolves' star guilty of preying on Indigenous women and girls

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Nevada jury has convicted actor Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the film 'Dances With Wolves', on 13 of 21 charges related to the sexual assault of Indigenous women and girls. Prosecutors said Chasing Horse used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to exploit his victims, some of whom were underage at the time of the assaults. Chasing Horse faces a minimum of 25 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 11.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violence and exploitation against Native American women and girls, which has been described as an 'epidemic' in recent years. Chasing Horse's high-profile status as an actor made him a trusted figure in the community, which he allegedly used to prey on vulnerable individuals. The conviction sends a strong message that such abuse will not be tolerated, regardless of the perpetrator's public persona or claims of spiritual authority.

The details

According to prosecutors, Chasing Horse, 49, used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to sexually assault multiple Indigenous women and girls over the course of nearly 20 years. The main victim was 14 years old when the abuse began in 2012, with Chasing Horse allegedly telling her that the spirits wanted her to give up her virginity to save her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer. The sexual assaults continued for years, with Chasing Horse threatening the victim that her mother would die if she told anyone. In total, Chasing Horse was found guilty of 13 of the 21 charges he faced, with the jury acquitting him of some charges related to the main victim when she was older and living with him.

  • Chasing Horse was first arrested and indicted on sex crime charges in 2023.
  • His 11-day trial took place in early 2026.
  • Chasing Horse is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2026.

The players

Nathan Chasing Horse

A 49-year-old actor known for his role as Smiles a Lot in the film 'Dances With Wolves', who was convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls while using his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to exploit his victims.

William Rowles

The Clark County chief deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case against Chasing Horse.

Craig Mueller

The defense attorney for Chasing Horse, who said he will file a motion for a new trial and expressed disappointment in the jury's verdict.

Steve Wolfson

The Clark County District Attorney who attended the court proceedings to hear the verdict.

Bianca Pucci

The deputy district attorney who argued in her closing statement that Chasing Horse had 'spun a web of abuse' that caught many women over nearly 20 years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I just hope that the people who came forward over the years and made complaints against Nathan Chasing Horse can find some peace in this.”

— William Rowles, Clark County chief deputy district attorney (cleveland.com)

“Today's verdict sends a clear message that exploitation and abuse will not be tolerated, regardless of the defendant's public persona or claims of spiritual authority.”

— Steve Wolfson, Clark County District Attorney (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Chasing Horse is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2026. British Columbia prosecutors have also indicated they will assess next steps in their prosecution of Chasing Horse once he has been sentenced and any appeals are finished in the U.S.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violence and exploitation against Native American women and girls, and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable regardless of their public status or claims of spiritual authority. It serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to address this epidemic of abuse within Indigenous communities.