A Nevada judge has sentenced “Dances With Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse to life behind bars for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls.
A jury had previously convicted him of 13 charges, mostly related to sexual assault of three women, The Associated Press reported.
Accusers and their families told Judge Jessica Peterson they continue to suffer from the trauma caused by Chasing Horse, 49, and struggle with their faith after he exploited his position as a spiritual leader.
He’ll be eligible for parole after serving for 37 years, and has continued to deny the charges against him.
“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he told the judge on Monday.
Following his appearance as the young Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning film “Dances With Wolves,” Chasing Horse traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies.
He used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to gain access to his victims.
The actor was charged in 2023 with sexual assault by the North Las Vegas Police Department and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Chasing Horse has appeared in three TNT telefilms with First Nations actor Eric Schweig: The Broken Chain, Into the West, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
His legal issues predate the sexual assault charges.
In 2015 Chasing Horse was banned by officials from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana as a safety threat because of alleged human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug dealing, and intimidation of tribal members.
He should have had that Portland firm represent him that wins everything for the Maine Injuns.