Nathan Chasing Horse: 'Dances With Wolves' Actor Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexual Assault

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Nathan Chasing Horse, an actor best known for his role in the iconic film "Dances With Wolves," was sentenced to life in prison in late April 2026.

This harsh sentence was handed down after a jury found Chasing Horse guilty in January 2026 on 13 of the 21 charges he faced.

Most of the charges related to the sexual assault of a child under the age of 16.

District Judge Jessica Peterson sentenced him to 37 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving 37 years.

Chasing Horse continues to deny his guilt, calling the verdict a "miscarriage of justice."

District Judge Jessica Peterson formally sentenced Nathan Chasing Horse to 37 years to life in prison on April 27, 2026.

Chasing Horse will be eligible for parole after serving at least 37 years of his sentence.

This sentence follows a guilty verdict handed down by a jury in January 2026.

At that time, the jury found Chasing Horse guilty of 13 of the 21 charges brought against him.

These charges primarily related to sexual assault of individuals under the age of 16.

Despite the compelling evidence and testimony, Chasing Horse continued to maintain his innocence, called the verdict a "miscarriage of justice."

Nathan Chasing Horse was convicted based on the testimony of three Indigenous women and girls who were his victims.

One of the victims was reportedly 14 years old when the first assault happened.

The jury found Chasing Horse guilty of several counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, one count of open and gross lewdness, one count of sexual assault, and one count of child sexual abuse material.

However, he was found not guilty of eight other charges, including several counts of child sexual abuse material, sexual assault, and kidnapping of a minor.

Nevada prosecutors revealed that Chasing Horse allegedly exploited his reputation as a Lakota "medicine man" to prey on Indigenous women and girls.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci highlighted how Chasing Horse, for nearly two decades, "spun a web of abuse" that ensnared numerous victims.

The victims and their family members gave moving testimony in court, recounting the profound trauma and exploitation of their beliefs.

Siera Begaye, one of the victims, firmly stated that Chasing Horse had robbed her of her innocence and tried to mold her to his will.

She also emphasized that Chasing Horse's incarceration would prevent him from harming others in the future.

Corena Leone-LaCroix, who was assaulted by Chasing Horse when she was 14, spoke of the loss of her youth and early experiences.

"There's no way to get my youth back, the loss of my childhood, my first experiences, my first kiss, the graduation I never got," she said.

Other victims have even faced health complications, including ectopic pregnancies, as a result of the assault.

The initial arrest and indictment of Nathan Chasing Horse occurred in 2023, initiating a lengthy and complex legal process.

Since then, the case has faced numerous delays, including changes to the trial schedule and sentencing.

One significant delay happened at the sentencing hearing, which was originally scheduled for March 2026 but was later pushed back to April 2026 due to procedural issues.

On April 1, 2026, the judge denied the defense's motion to vacate the conviction.

The defense argued that two victims had applied for funds through the Nevada Victims of Crime program, which they claimed were bribes for testimony.

However, prosecutors explained that the funds, which have not yet been paid, were compensation for uninsured care, not bribes.

In addition to the Nevada case, Nathan Chasing Horse also faces additional criminal charges in other states in the United States and Canada.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023.

The alleged offense in Canada happened in September 2018 near Keremeos.

The Canadian case was postponed in November 2023 due to charges in the United States, but was resumed the following year.

Furthermore, the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service in Alberta also has an active arrest warrant for Chasing Horse.