A Nevada judge sentenced former “Dances With Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison Monday after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting three Indigenous women and girls, closing a case that exposed predatory behavior masked behind claims of spiritual leadership.
Victims Confront Their Abuser In Court
Accusers and their families told Judge Jessica Peterson they continue suffering from trauma caused by Chasing Horse, who exploited his position as a spiritual leader within Indigenous communities. Corena Leone-LaCroix, who came forward publicly, revealed she was only 14 when the assault occurred. “There is no way to get back the youth, the childhood loss, my first time, my first kiss, the graduation I never got to have,” she told the court. “The life that little girl could have lived has been taken from me forever.”
Chasing Horse, 49, wearing a navy blue detention center uniform, stared straight ahead during victim statements and remained silent as deputies escorted him from the courtroom. The former actor maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. “This is a miscarriage of justice,” he declared before sentencing. Judge Peterson expressed disbelief at his continued denial despite overwhelming trial evidence. “You preyed on these women’s trusts and their spirituality, and you manipulated them for your own personal gratification,” she stated before announcing the sentence. More than a dozen spectators applauded when the hearing concluded.
Additional Charges Still Pending
The Nevada conviction represents only part of the legal troubles facing Chasing Horse. Canadian authorities charged him with sexual assault in British Columbia related to an alleged September 2018 incident near Keremeos, a village east of Vancouver. Those proceedings paused during the United States trial but resumed after his conviction. British Columbia prosecutors will determine next steps once all appeals conclude. The 2023 arrest reverberated throughout Indian Country, prompting law enforcement agencies in multiple states and Canada to pursue additional criminal charges against the former actor.
Life Sentence With Parole Possibility
Under Nevada law, Chasing Horse becomes eligible for parole after serving 37 years behind bars. The jury convicted him on 13 criminal charges, primarily connected to sexual assaults against three women who trusted him as a spiritual guide. The case highlights ongoing concerns about predators who weaponize cultural authority and religious positions to exploit vulnerable members of tight-knit communities. Judge Peterson emphasized the defendant’s calculated manipulation of faith and trust throughout her sentencing remarks, underscoring the lasting damage inflicted on victims and their families.