Nathan Chasing Horse Jailed 37 Years for Sexual Assault of Indigenous Women, Girls

Former US actor Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to at least 37 years in prison for the sexual assault of Indigenous women and girls. The 49-year-old, recognised for his role in the 1990 film Dances With Wolves, was convicted on 13 charges, predominantly concerning the assault of three women. One victim was 14 years old when the abuse commenced.

Chasing Horse, also known as Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, cultivated a reputation as a medicine man among Indigenous communities across the US and Canada. Accusers and their families informed the Nevada court that he exploited this spiritual authority, with numerous victims attending his ceremonies or approaching him for medical help.

Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of his victims who was 14 at the outset of the abuse and came forward publicly, stated, “The life that little girl could have lived has been taken from me forever.”

Before delivering the sentence, Judge Jessica Peterson told Chasing Horse that he preyed upon women’s spirituality, adding, “You manipulated them for your own personal gratification.” Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci detailed to the jury how Chasing Horse had “spun a web of abuse” spanning nearly two decades, including telling Ms Leone-LaCroix that spirits required her to relinquish her virginity to save her mother, who was suffering from cancer.

Chasing Horse, who denied all allegations, will be eligible for parole after serving 37 years.