Nevada jury convicts Nathan Chasing Horse on 13 counts in High Profile Abuse Case

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada jury has convicted former Dances With Wolves actor and self proclaimed Lakota spiritual leader Nathan Chasing Horse on 13 felony counts, concluding a years-long case that prosecutors say exposed a pattern of sexual abuse carried out under the guise of Indigenous healing practices.

The verdict, delivered Friday in Clark County District Court, followed two days of deliberations. Chasing Horse, 49, was found guilty of multiple counts of sexually assaulting a minor, including a girl he began abusing at age 14, according to prosecutors. He was acquitted on several other charges, including kidnapping and child pornography related counts.

A Pattern of Control and Influence

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse used his reputation as a medicine man to gain access to vulnerable Indigenous women and girls. They said he cultivated a following known as “The Circle,” whose members believed he possessed spiritual powers and healing abilities. This influence, according to testimony presented in court, allowed him to isolate victims, normalize sexual abuse, and silence those who tried to speak out.

The investigation began in 2023 after Las Vegas police received multiple reports from women who said Chasing Horse had abused them for years. A SWAT raid on his home uncovered evidence that supported the allegations, police said in affidavits filed at the time.

A Case Years in the Making

The prosecution faced setbacks early on. In 2024, the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed the original indictment, forcing the state to reassemble its case. The new charges were filed later that year, and the trial began in January 2026.

Chasing Horse showed little emotion as the verdict was read, according to reporters inside the courtroom. His attorney called the outcome “disappointing” and said the defense plans to file motions for a new trial.

Impact Across Indigenous Communities

The case has drawn widespread attention across Indian Country, where Chasing Horse had traveled for decades as a spiritual figure. Many tribal advocates said the verdict represents long overdue accountability for abuses that often go unreported or unprosecuted.

“This is a moment survivors have waited for,” one advocate said outside the courthouse, according to local media coverage.

Sentencing Ahead

Chasing Horse faces a minimum of 25 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 11, 2026, according to court records.

The post Nevada jury convicts Nathan Chasing Horse on 13 counts in High Profile Abuse Case first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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