Nathan Chasing Horse Disrupts Court Ahead of Sexual Abuse Trial

Las Vegas—Nathan Chasing Horse, the former actor known for his role in the film Dances with Wolves, was removed from court on March 4, 2024, after he disrupted proceedings with demands to replace his defense attorney just days before his trial. Chasing Horse faces 21 charges, including allegations of sexual abuse against women and girls, as well as filming himself abusing a minor.

During the hearing, Judge Jessica Peterson ordered the trial to proceed as scheduled. Chasing Horse claimed his attorney, Craig Mueller, had failed to visit him and did not file necessary documents in a timely manner. He requested that a public defender who had previously represented him take over his defense.

Mueller, while maintaining that Chasing Horse was prepared for trial, privately informed the judge that one of his investigators had met with his client. He declined to comment further when approached by the Associated Press.

Chasing Horse, who gained fame for portraying Smiles A Lot in the acclaimed 1990 film, has been accused of leveraging his status as a self-proclaimed spiritual leader to exploit Native American women and girls over a span of two decades. Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, he allegedly began promoting himself as a Lakota medicine man following his success in the film industry. Prosecutors assert that he conducted healing ceremonies across North America, using his influence to prey on vulnerable individuals.

In January 2023, authorities arrested Chasing Horse at his home in North Las Vegas, where he was reportedly living with five wives. The case has garnered significant attention, sending shockwaves throughout Indian Country.

The original indictment against Chasing Horse was dismissed in 2024 after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors mishandled the grand jury process by introducing a definition of grooming as evidence without expert testimony. Nevertheless, the court permitted the possibility of new charges, leading to a fresh indictment later that year.

Prosecutors allege that Chasing Horse led a group known as The Circle, where he claimed to have the ability to communicate with spirits. Testimonies from victims indicate that they sought his assistance for medical issues, falling prey to his manipulative practices.

The upcoming trial is expected to last approximately three weeks, with jury selection set to begin soon. The case highlights the serious implications of exploitation within vulnerable communities and the ongoing struggle for justice in such sensitive matters.