Nathan Chasing Horse Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in “Dances with Wolves,” was sentenced to life in prison for years of sexual abuse against girls and women. He was once regarded as a spiritual leader.

On Monday, Judge Jessica Peterson from Nevada’s 8th Judicial District Court handed down the sentence, confirming that Chasing Horse would be eligible for parole after 37 years.

Prior to the sentencing, Chasing Horse’s lawyer requested a legal life expectancy of 25 years. He plans to appeal the conviction, asserting that Chasing Horse is innocent and describing the situation as a “miscarriage of justice.”

Chasing Horse, 49, maintained his innocence during the hearing, but the judge pointedly remarked that he exploited the trust and spirituality of the women involved.

A grand jury indicted Chasing Horse in February 2023 after reports emerged about his decades-long pattern of abuse. He had pleaded not guilty to 21 charges but was found guilty in January 2026 on 13 counts related to sexual assault.

Among the accusations were 10 counts of sexual assault involving a minor under 16, along with charges of public indecency and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci described how Chasing Horse had been “spreading a web of abuse” across nearly two decades. In a particularly troubling case, he misled a 14-year-old girl into believing she needed to sacrifice her virginity to save her mother, who had cancer, claiming that ghosts demanded it.

One of the survivors, Corena Leone-Lacroix, spoke out about the lasting impacts of Chasing Horse’s actions, saying he took away her sense of safety and irreparably damaged her childhood. “There’s no way to get back what I lost,” she stated.

Others echoed her sentiments. Melissa Leone, Corena’s mother, likened Chasing Horse to Jeffrey Epstein, insisting that the crimes he was convicted of represent only a fraction of his offenses.

Another victim, Sierra Begay, described her struggles with the psychological toll of Chasing Horse’s manipulation, emphasizing how it delayed crucial moments in her life.

Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles emphasized the importance of recognizing each victim’s story, lauding the judge for ensuring their experiences were honored during the proceedings.

Chasing Horse now faces additional charges in Canada related to sexual assault, which will be pursued once his appeals in the U.S. are resolved.

His career in acting ended in 2007 with a role in “Wounded Knee,” a film that received six Emmy Awards.