‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault :: WRAL.com

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting Indigenous girls and women.

A Nevada decide gave the “Dances With Wolves” actor his sentence Monday. A jury had beforehand convicted him of 13 expenses, largely associated to sexual assault. He was accused by three girls, together with one who was 14 when the assaults started. He was acquired on some expenses.

Accusers and their households instructed Judge Jessica Peterson they proceed to endure from the trauma attributable to Chasing Horse and battle with their religion after he exploited his place as a non secular chief.

Chasing Horse, sporting his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight forward as victims learn their statements. I’ve denied the fees towards him.

“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he instructed the decide on Monday.

Other expenses in Canada are nonetheless pending

The sentencing wraps a yearslong effort to prosecute the previous actor after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023. That preliminary arrest reverberated round Indian Country, with regulation enforcement in different states and Canada following up with extra prison expenses. Those expenses are nonetheless pending.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service stated Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023, though the date of the alleged offense happened in September 2018 close to Keremeos, a village about 4 hours east of Vancouver. In November 2023, the case paused due to Chasing Horse’s expenses in the United States, however resumed the next 12 months.

After all of Chasing Horse’s appeals have been exhausted, British Columbia prosecutors will assess subsequent steps, Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, stated in an e mail.

A warrant towards Chasing Horse stays excellent in Alberta, the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in Alberta stated in an announcement following Chasing Horse’s conviction in January. The Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service stated it’s in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office concerning the warrant.

January trial focuses on his position as non secular chief

Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is dwelling to the Sicangu Sioux, one of many seven tribes of the Lakota nation. Following his look because the younger Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning movie “Dances With Wolves,” Chasing Horse traveled throughout Indian Country to attend powwows and carry out therapeutic ceremonies.

During his trial, Nevada prosecutors stated Chasing Horse used his repute as a Lakota drugs man to prey on Indigenous girls and women.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci instructed the jury that for virtually 20 years, Chasing Horse “spun a web of abuse” that uncovered many ladies.

Jurors heard from three girls who stated Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned responsible verdicts on some expenses associated to all three.

Multiple victims described how they participated in his ceremonies or went to Chasing Horse for medical assist.

Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of many victims, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly instructed her the spirits needed her to hand over her virginity to save her mom, who was identified with most cancers. He then sexually assaulted her and instructed her that if she instructed anybody, her mom would die, in accordance to Pucci. The sexual assaults continued for years, Pucci stated. The Associated Press usually doesn’t use the identify of alleged sexual assault victims except they arrive ahead publicly, as Leone-LaCroix has.

Chasing Horse denied the allegations and his legal professional questioned the primary accuser’s credibility, calling her a “scorned woman.” His legal professional had filed a movement for a brand new trial, arguing {that a} witness was not certified to speak about grooming and that the statute of limitations had expired. That movement was denied.

Victims and their members of the family testified that they struggled with their religion because of Chasing Horse’s actions. The moms of the victims stated Chasing Horse betrayed their belief and abused sacred traditions.

“Even to this day I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,” a sufferer’s mom stated.

One sufferer stated she nonetheless faces problems after struggling an ectopic being pregnant because of the assault and being pressured to bear surgical procedure.

“I am choosing to see this moment as a fresh start. I will rebuild my life, reclaim my voice and continue fighting for the future I deserve,” one sufferer stated.

Dr. Crystal Lee, CEO and founding father of the group United Natives, which affords providers to victims of sexual abuse, stated she hopes the victims discover peace with the sentencing. Lee stated Chasing Horse’s case reveals the significance of holding high-profile perpetrators accountable, and believing the victims concerned.

Chasing Horse used his standing as an actor and drugs man to prey on victims, equally to different religion leaders who abused their energy, Lee stated.

“I think it makes us question who we trust and why we trust,” Lee stated.