LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to life in jail for sexually assaulting Indigenous girls and women.
A Nevada decide gave the “Dances With Wolves” actor his sentence Monday. A jury had previously convicted him of 13 prices, principally associated to sexual assault. He was accused by three girls, together with one who was 14 when the assaults started. He was acquitted on some prices.
Accusers and their households instructed Judge Jessica Peterson they proceed to undergo from the trauma attributable to Chasing Horse and battle with their religion after he exploited his place as a religious chief.
Chasing Horse, sporting his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight forward as victims learn their statements. He denied the costs towards him.
“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he instructed the decide on Monday.
Other prices in Canada are nonetheless pending
The sentencing wraps a yearslong effort to prosecute the previous actor after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023. That preliminary arrest reverberated round Indian Country, with legislation enforcement in different states and Canada following up with extra felony prices. Those prices are nonetheless pending.
The British Columbia Prosecution Service mentioned Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023, although the date of the alleged offense passed off in September 2018 close to Keremeos, a village about 4 hours east of Vancouver. In November 2023, the case paused attributable to Chasing Horse’s prices within the United States, however resumed the next 12 months.
After all of Chasing Horse’s appeals have been exhausted, British Columbia prosecutors will assess subsequent steps, Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, mentioned in an electronic mail.
A warrant towards Chasing Horse stays excellent in Alberta, the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in Alberta mentioned in an announcement following Chasing Horse’s conviction in January. The Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service mentioned that it’s involved with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office concerning the warrant.
January trial focuses on his function as religious chief
Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is residence to the Sicangu Sioux, one of many seven tribes of the Lakota nation. Following his look because the younger Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning movie “Dances With Wolves,” Chasing Horse traveled throughout Indian Country to attend powwows and carry out therapeutic ceremonies.
During his trial, Nevada prosecutors mentioned Chasing Horse used his status as a Lakota drugs man to prey on Indigenous girls and women.
Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci instructed the jury that for virtually 20 years, Chasing Horse “spun a web of abuse” that ensnared many ladies.
Jurors heard from three girls who mentioned Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned responsible verdicts on some prices associated to all three.
Multiple victims described how they participated in his ceremonies or went to Chasing Horse for medical assist.
Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of many victims, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly instructed her the spirits needed her to surrender her virginity to avoid wasting her mom, who was recognized with most cancers. He then sexually assaulted her and instructed her that if she instructed anybody, her mom would die, in accordance with Pucci. The sexual assaults continued for years, Pucci mentioned. The Associated Press usually doesn’t use the identify of alleged sexual assault victims until they arrive ahead publicly, as Leone-LaCroix has.
Chasing Horse denied the allegations and his legal professional questioned the primary accuser’s credibility, calling her a “scorned woman.” His legal professional had filed a movement for a brand new trial, arguing {that a} witness was not certified to speak about grooming and that the statute of limitations had expired. That movement was denied.
Victims and their members of the family testified that they battle with their religion on account of Chasing Horse’s actions. The moms of the victims mentioned Chasing Horse betrayed their belief and abused sacred traditions.
“Even to this day I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,” a sufferer’s mom mentioned.
One sufferer mentioned she nonetheless faces issues after struggling an ectopic being pregnant on account of the assault and being pressured to bear surgical procedure.
“I am choosing to see this moment as a fresh start. I will rebuild my life, reclaim my voice and continue fighting for the future I deserve,” one sufferer mentioned.
Dr. Crystal Lee, CEO and founding father of the group United Natives, which presents providers to victims of sexual abuse, mentioned she hopes the victims discover peace with the sentencing. Lee mentioned Chasing Horse’s case exhibits the significance of holding high-profile perpetrators accountable, and believing the victims concerned.
Chasing Horse used his standing as an actor and drugs man to prey on victims, equally to different religion leaders who abuse their energy, Lee mentioned.
“I think it makes us question who we trust and why we trust,” Lee mentioned.
