Former 'Dances With Wolves' Actor Faces Sentencing Delay

Nathan Chasing Horse was convicted of multiple charges involving sexual abuse of Indigenous women and girls.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A Las Vegas judge has delayed the sentencing of former 'Dances With Wolves' actor Nathan Chasing Horse until next week. Chasing Horse was convicted earlier this year on multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of Indigenous women and girls over the course of nearly two decades. Prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse used his reputation as a spiritual leader to gain the trust of victims before abusing them, while the defense questioned the strength of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses.

Why it matters

The case has drawn significant attention across Native communities and beyond due to Chasing Horse's role in the acclaimed film 'Dances With Wolves' and the serious nature of the charges against him. The delay in sentencing adds another twist to a high-profile case involving the alleged abuse of vulnerable individuals.

The details

A Nevada jury found Chasing Horse guilty on 13 of the 21 charges he faced, including multiple crimes involving the sexual abuse of Indigenous women and girls. Prosecutors said he used his reputation as a spiritual leader and healer to gain the trust of young victims, then manipulated and abused them over many years across several states. Several victims testified during the trial, with one woman saying the abuse began when she was 14 years old. Chasing Horse's defense argued the evidence was not strong enough and questioned the credibility of the witnesses.

  • Chasing Horse was convicted earlier this year.
  • His sentencing, originally scheduled for this week, has been delayed until March 18.

The players

Nathan Chasing Horse

A former actor who played the character Smiles a Lot in the 1990 film 'Dances With Wolves'. He was convicted on multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of Indigenous women and girls.

Las Vegas judge

The judge presiding over Chasing Horse's case who agreed to delay his sentencing until next week.

Nevada jury

The jury that found Chasing Horse guilty on 13 of the 21 charges he faced.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Chasing Horse's sentencing on March 18.

The takeaway

This high-profile case involving a former Hollywood actor has shone a light on the alleged abuse of Indigenous women and girls, raising questions about the use of spiritual and cultural authority to exploit vulnerable individuals. The delay in sentencing adds another layer of complexity to an already disturbing situation.