Nathan Chasing Horse, a former actor who once gained recognition for his early screen appearance has been sentenced to 37 years to life in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious charges involving the sexual assault of Indigenous women and girls.
Prosecutors described the case as a disturbing pattern of abuse carried out over several years, involving repeated exploitation of trust and authority.
A Nevada jury convicted the 49-year-old on 13 out of 21 charges following an 11-day trial that included detailed and emotional testimony from survivors. The charges included multiple counts of sexual assault, including offences against minors, along with related criminal acts such as lewd conduct and possession of illegal material involving a child.
At the sentencing hearing Judge Jessica Peterson ordered that Chasing Horse must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole while also crediting him for time already spent in custody since his arrest in 2023. Despite the ruling he continued to deny all allegations, insisting that the verdict was unjust.
Prosecutors told the court that Chasing Horse used his influence and reputation as a self-described spiritual figure within Indigenous communities to gain the trust of victims before committing the crimes. He was known to some as a “Medicine Man” or “Holy Person,” a role authorities say he deliberately misused to manipulate vulnerable individuals over time.
Officials said the investigation began after a tip in 2022, which later uncovered years of alleged abuse. The case eventually led to his arrest in 2023, followed by extensive legal proceedings and testimony from multiple survivors.
During the trial, victims described deeply traumatic experiences and long-term emotional damage. One survivor, Corena Leone-LaCroix, who was 14 at the time of the alleged abuse, gave an emotional statement describing how her childhood, innocence, and future were taken away from her.
Other victims and their families also shared accounts of lasting psychological and physical consequences, along with a breakdown of trust in spiritual practices that were allegedly used against them.
Prosecutors argued that many survivors had attempted to speak out earlier but were ignored or not taken seriously, and they welcomed the verdict as an important step toward justice and closure.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson emphasized that the case sends a strong message that no individual, regardless of public image or claimed authority, is above the law.
Authorities also confirmed that Chasing Horse faces additional pending charges in other jurisdictions, including Canada, where legal proceedings are still ongoing and warrants remain active.
Law enforcement officials and Indigenous authorities described the conviction as a significant development in a long and complex case that has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the allegations and the breach of trust involved within communities.
