LAS VEGAS — The trial of Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in the acclaimed film “Dances with Wolves,” faces yet another delay regarding his alleged sexual offenses.
On Monday, a Las Vegas state court judge postponed the commencement of the trial to August 4th, marking the most recent postponement since Chasing Horse’s arrest and indictment earlier this year. Initially scheduled for trial next week, the 48-year-old is accused of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls over several years in the Las Vegas area.
Craig Mueller, the defense attorney for Chasing Horse, argued in a recent motion that additional time is necessary to adequately prepare and question witnesses. Consequently, continued delays have characterized the legal proceedings since Chasing Horse was formally indicted early in 2023.
Having entered a not guilty plea, Chasing Horse stands accused of 21 felonies. These charges encompass sexual assault of a minor under 16, kidnapping, and the creation and possession of child sexual abuse videos. Should he be found guilty, the sexual assault charges alone could subject him to sentences extending from decades to life in prison.
Beyond his acting role as Smiles A Lot in the Oscar-winning “Dances with Wolves,” Chasing Horse cultivated a reputation as a self-proclaimed Lakota medicine man. Authorities report that he traveled across North America conducting healing rituals, exploiting his stature to take advantage of vulnerable individuals. Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, he has ties to the Sicangu Sioux, a Lakota nation tribe.
Prosecutors allege that Chasing Horse leveraged his role to exploit women and girls latently, leading to his arrest near Las Vegas. Although he has been in custody following his apprehension, further legal progress stalled for over a year while he contested the initial indictment.
Ultimately, the original indictment was dismissed when the Nevada Supreme Court determined prosecutorial misconduct due to improperly included “grooming” evidence without expert testimony. However, this dismissal left the door open for refiling, prompting prosecutors to present their case before another grand jury soon after.
In October, a grand jury re-indicted Chasing Horse, introducing fresh claims of filming sexual acts with one accuser who had not reached the age of 14 at the time. Prosecutors allege that videos, purportedly filmed in 2010 or 2011, were retrieved from cellphone devices locked away inside Chasing Horse’s North Las Vegas residence. He lived with five wives at this home, including the girl depicted in the recordings.
As the trial progresses, Chasing Horse’s arrest and the ensuing legal proceedings coincide with a wider national movement aiming to address cases involving Native women. Increased focus and resources are being directed toward tackling issues such as human trafficking and murder affecting this demographic.