Nevada Jury Reindicts Nathan Chasing Horse on Abuse Charges

Nevada Jury Reindicts Nathan Chasing Horse on Abuse Charges \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in Dances with Wolves, was reindicted by a Nevada grand jury on new charges of sexual abuse, kidnapping, and possessing child sexual abuse materials. This comes after the state’s Supreme Court dismissed his initial indictment, citing procedural errors by prosecutors. Chasing Horse has remained jailed since his January arrest, facing allegations spanning multiple jurisdictions, including new charges from a Montana reservation.

Nevada Grand Jury Reindicts Nathan Chasing Horse on Expanded Abuse Charges: Key Updates

• Renewed Indictment: A Nevada grand jury has reindicted Chasing Horse on 21 charges, adding child abuse material-related felonies to the case.
• Supreme Court Dismissal: The new charges follow a Supreme Court decision that dismissed the initial indictment due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
• Allegations and Background: The former actor is accused of using his position as a self-proclaimed healer to exploit Indigenous women and girls over decades.
• Impact on Indian Country: The case has sparked wider awareness and prompted coordinated investigations into missing and exploited Native women.
• Legal Proceedings: Chasing Horse remains jailed in Las Vegas and has pleaded not guilty, claiming the encounters were consensual.

Deep Look

In a significant development for the ongoing case against Nathan Chasing Horse, a grand jury in Nevada has issued a fresh indictment against the former Dances with Wolves actor, accusing him of sexual abuse, kidnapping, and possession of child sexual abuse materials. The new 21-count indictment, unsealed Thursday in Clark County District Court, revives a high-profile case after the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed the original indictment in September, citing improper grand jury procedures. The charges include sexual assault, lewdness, and new felony counts related to producing and possessing child sexual abuse materials.

The former actor, now 48, became widely known for his role as Smiles A Lot in the 1990 Oscar-winning film Dances with Wolves. Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, part of the Sicangu Sioux tribe of the Lakota nation, Chasing Horse later used his Hollywood fame to build a reputation as a Lakota medicine man. According to authorities, he traveled across North America performing healing ceremonies, during which he allegedly exploited his status to gain the trust of Indigenous women and girls, form a cult, and take underage wives. These accusations have sparked extensive investigation and led to corroborating allegations from Native communities in the U.S. and Canada, where he is accused of using his influence to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.

In January, Chasing Horse was arrested in Las Vegas on 18 felony counts, including sexual assault and human trafficking. He pleaded not guilty, arguing through his attorney, Kristy Holston, that his sexual encounters were consensual. However, one of his accusers was reportedly younger than the age of consent in Nevada, which is 16, when the alleged abuse began. Following his arrest, authorities in Indian Country expressed relief as allegations against him dating back years began to resurface. Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada have since collaborated on investigating similar reports and have expanded the scope of the charges to include incidents on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana. Chasing Horse had already been banned from the Fort Peck Reservation in 2015 amid allegations of human trafficking.

The Nevada Supreme Court’s dismissal of the initial indictment in September did not weigh in on the merits of the allegations but criticized the handling of the case by prosecutors. The justices stated that Clark County prosecutors provided the grand jury with a definition of grooming without expert testimony, an issue they found to be misleading. They also faulted prosecutors for not disclosing inconsistent statements made by one of the accusers, which they argued could have impacted the grand jury’s decision. Despite the dismissal, the court left the door open for charges to be refiled. In response, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson swiftly vowed to pursue another indictment.

With Thursday’s unsealed indictment, Wolfson has fulfilled his pledge, recharging Chasing Horse with 21 counts, expanding on the previous charges by adding new allegations related to child sexual abuse materials. Prosecutors have argued that Chasing Horse’s use of his self-styled role as a healer allowed him to manipulate and abuse Indigenous women and girls. His lawyer, Holston, has challenged these assertions, claiming that the charges rely on misinterpretations of consensual relationships and cultural practices.

The broader implications of this case extend beyond Nevada, as it shines a spotlight on the vulnerability of Native women and girls who face high rates of violence, trafficking, and exploitation. Chasing Horse’s arrest has prompted authorities across North America to revisit unresolved cases involving Indigenous women, spurring legislative and judicial attention on systemic issues affecting Native communities. Lawmakers and prosecutors nationwide are increasingly dedicating resources to address violence against Native women, including human trafficking and murders, which disproportionately affect these communities.

In response to his arrest, Chasing Horse has remained in custody in Las Vegas, unable to secure bail. His arrest has resonated throughout Native communities, with advocates calling for further protections and support systems to combat abuse and exploitation. Native American leaders have voiced the need for more vigilant law enforcement measures and legal frameworks to safeguard Indigenous women from predatory individuals.

Although Chasing Horse awaits trial on the refiled charges, the legal proceedings come at a time of growing awareness around the plight of missing and exploited Native women. Activists and lawmakers are urging for reforms in handling cases that impact Indigenous populations, focusing on improving protections, enhancing judicial processes, and holding perpetrators accountable.

The renewed charges against Chasing Horse represent not only a significant legal battle but also a potential turning point in addressing the systemic challenges Indigenous women face in seeking justice. The case has prompted broader conversations on protecting vulnerable communities and reinforcing legal structures to prevent further exploitation. The outcome of the trial could have lasting implications, both for the defendant and for the ongoing fight to safeguard Indigenous populations from abuse and marginalization.

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