A grand jury in Las Vegas has indicted ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse on 19 counts of sexual assault, mostly involving victims under the age of 16.
Chasing Horse, 46, was arrested at his Las Vegas home on Jan. 31 and faces charges of sexual assault, kidnapping a minor, trafficking in substances, and public and abusive indecency.
Court documents show that the former actor portrayed himself as a “medicine man” to victims to gain their trust before grooming and physically assaulting the underage girls between 2014 and 2020.
In addition to charges in Nevada, the “Into the West” actor faces federal charges and warrants for his arrest in Montana and Canada.
Chasing Horse remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center on $300,000 bond.
A grand jury in Las Vegas has indicted ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse on 19 counts of sexual assault, mostly involving victims under the age of 16
Chasing Horse was arrested at his home in Las Vegas on January 31 and is charged with assault, kidnapping a minor, trafficking in a substance and open and abusive indecency
Court documents show the former actor portrayed himself as a “medicine man” to victims to gain their trust before grooming and physically assaulting them between 2014 and 2020
Supporters of the actor were present in a court in Las Vegas on Wednesday, according to KTVV, dressed in clothing with his name on it.
Fans have previously appeared at court appearances and have been seen blowing kisses and sharing messages of love for the actor.
Chasing Horse has been charged with a total of 10 counts of sexual assault involving a minor under the age of 16 and six counts of assault.
Prosecutors say he groomed and abused young Native girls in “The Circle,” a sect led by the Native American.
Police said when they arrested him, the man was living with six women he claimed as his wives, according to an arrest report.
Women who spoke to law enforcement officials said Chasing Horse recruited them when they were minors and began raping them as teenagers.
At the height of his cult’s success, prosecutors said the man had up to 350 followers in “The Circle.”
Even after his arrest, officials continue to see the man as a flight risk.
Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles told local outlets Chasing Horse that he also continued to groom young girls to replace his current wives.
Chasing Horse at a bail hearing in Las Vegas on Feb. 8
Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles told local outlets Chasing Horse that he also continued to groom young girls to replace his current wives
The 1990 film won seven Oscars, with Kevin Costner as best director
Nathan Lee Chasing Horse will appear in North Las Vegas Justice Court on February 2, 2023 on sex trafficking charges
Kevin Costner can be seen with his co-stars in the Oscar-winning 1990 film
A Native American woman who was on “The Circle” spoke out about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Chasing Horse when she was just 14 years old.
Corena Leone said the man was a “predator” for telling her she had to “pay the price” for him to “cure” her mother of cancer.
Leone said the actor demanded she give her virginity to him and her firstborn’s life to help her mother, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
The woman, who posted her claims online in September, says she called Chasing Horse and other men “grandfather” – with the actor telling her to “give up” her virginity to help her mother.
She said, “At the time I didn’t recognize what was happening for what it was. And I was proud to help my mother. And I didn’t expect it to happen again, I thought it was a one time thing.
“But it just kept happening. Only on the road with him and his helpers. And he would first get a room for his helpers and a room for us with two beds.
“And either he snuck into my bed or he made me go to his and the rape continued.
“Then it was no longer two beds, but one in the room. I don’t remember much. I just know that things happened every night and that he would record multiple times raping me.”
A second woman has also posted similar claims online, but has remained anonymous.
Chasing Horse (right) takes part in a symbolic journey in 1999, carrying a sacred bundle from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Yellowstone National Park to raise awareness of the importance of bison
Police allege Chasing Horse used his position to abuse young Native American girls, some as young as 13 years old
The actor was reportedly banned from the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Montana in 2015 amid human trafficking allegations
Las Vegas police have identified at least six alleged victims, with claims dating back to the early 2000s in multiple states, including Montana, South Dakota and Nevada
Leone said she has also spoken to other victims, at least one who is now pregnant.
“Now they are expecting a child of their own, and I speak out of protection for women and young girls and to prevent future victims,” she said.
Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota Nation.
The actor was reportedly banned from the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Montana in 2015 over human trafficking allegations.
