Nathan Chasing Horse Faces New Charges In Ongoing Sex Trafficking Case

Nathan Chasing Horse Faces New Charges In Ongoing Sex Trafficking Case...

Nathan Chasing Horse, the former "Dances With Wolves" actor and self-proclaimed spiritual leader, faces additional federal charges in a sweeping sex trafficking case. Prosecutors filed new documents Monday alleging he exploited vulnerable women for over a decade through a cult-like group in Nevada and Montana.

The 46-year-old was initially arrested in January 2023 near Las Vegas after a years-long investigation involving multiple states. Authorities now accuse him of recruiting victims as young as 14 through his alleged "The Circle" organization, which promised spiritual healing in exchange for sexual servitude.

Federal agents raided Chasing Horse's North Las Vegas home last year, seizing firearms, drugs, and documents detailing his alleged "wives" hierarchy. The new indictment includes witness testimonies from five additional accusers, bringing the total to over a dozen alleged victims.

Chasing Horse gained notoriety after playing Smiles a Lot in the 1990 Oscar-winning film. He later positioned himself as a Native American spiritual figure, conducting ceremonies that prosecutors say masked abuse. The case has drawn national attention due to its parallels with other high-profile cult investigations.

Las Vegas police first opened their investigation after a 2022 tip from Canadian authorities. Chasing Horse remains in custody without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. His trial is tentatively scheduled for fall 2026.

The case resurfaces today as prosecutors unsealed disturbing new details about alleged ritualistic abuses. Court documents describe ceremonies where victims were reportedly branded with heated knives and forced into polygamous marriages.

Native American advocacy groups have closely monitored the proceedings. The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association called the allegations "a grotesque distortion of Lakota traditions" in a statement released Tuesday.

Chasing Horse's public defender maintains his client's innocence, arguing the relationships were consensual. The defense team has filed motions to dismiss several charges, claiming jurisdictional overreach by federal prosecutors.

If convicted on all counts, Chasing Horse could face life imprisonment. The case continues to develop as investigators pursue leads across multiple states and Canadian provinces.