Former ‘Dances with Wolves’ child actor Nathan Chasing Horse, now accused cult leader, was dragged from court after a desperate outburst to dodge his looming sex abuse trial.
Story Snapshot
- Nathan Chasing Horse disrupted Las Vegas court on January 5, 2026, demanding to fire his attorney one week before jury trial on 21 sex abuse counts.
- Judge Jessica Peterson removed him from proceedings and affirmed trial start for January 12, 2026, rejecting delay tactics.
- Allegations detail two decades of grooming Native girls under the guise of Lakota medicine man, leading abusive cult “The Circle.”
- 2023 SWAT raid uncovered firearms and evidence at his home with five “wives”; charges refiled after 2024 Supreme Court dismissal.
Courtroom Disruption Signals Delay Tactics
Nathan Chasing Horse interrupted a Las Vegas hearing on January 5, 2026, by speaking over Judge Jessica Peterson and demanding to dismiss defense attorney Craig Mueller. He claimed Mueller failed to visit him or file documents promptly. The judge ordered deputies to remove Chasing Horse temporarily, ensuring courtroom order. Mueller informed the court his investigator had visited the jail, confirming preparedness. This outburst occurred exactly one week before the scheduled jury trial on 21 counts of sexual assault and related crimes. Prosecutors accuse Chasing Horse of abusing his spiritual authority over victims, including a girl as young as 13. The incident highlights potential strategies to postpone accountability for alleged long-term predation.
‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse disrupts court week before sex abuse trialhttps://t.co/oFjD7nKcdH pic.twitter.com/wLbLZkjBn6
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 6, 2026
From Hollywood Child Star to Alleged Cult Abuser
Born Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse in 1976 on South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Reservation, he rose to fame as “Smiles a Lot” in the 1990 film Dances with Wolves. Subsequent roles included The Broken Chain in 1993, Dreamkeeper in 2003, Into the West in 2005, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee in 2007. After acting, Chasing Horse reinvented himself as a traveling Lakota medicine man, conducting ceremonies for tribes across the U.S. and Canada. Prosecutors allege he exploited this revered status starting in the early 2000s to groom and assault Native women and girls in Nevada, Montana, and South Dakota. His North Las Vegas home, raided by SWAT in January 2023, housed five “wives” and evidence of “The Circle” cult, where followers anticipated armed standoffs and believed in his spirit communications. At least six victims have come forward, detailing interstate luring under false traditional practices.
Investigation, Raid, and Legal Path to Trial
A tip in October 2022 sparked investigation into Chasing Horse’s activities. On January 31, 2023, authorities raided his home, seizing firearms and cult materials. Initial charges included 18 Nevada counts of sexual assault of a minor, kidnapping, and lewdness, plus a federal child exploitation complaint and warrants in Canada and Montana. The Nevada Supreme Court dismissed the 2024 indictment due to prosecutorial error on grooming definitions without expert testimony but permitted refiling. Prosecutors then issued a new 21-count indictment. Chasing Horse pleaded not guilty. He has remained in custody since the raid. Victims describe seeking spiritual healing only to face exploitation. The refiled case leverages evidence from two decades of alleged abuse, underscoring justice system’s resolve against manipulative predators hiding behind cultural facades.
The cult “The Circle” enforced beliefs in Chasing Horse’s spiritual powers, including “spiritual wives” and preparations for violence. One victim recounted assault at age 13 after being lured across states. Indigenous communities express profound betrayal over the perversion of traditional medicine man roles. Legal proceedings now test Nevada’s jurisdiction amid tribal ties.
Stakeholders and Path Forward
Judge Jessica Peterson holds authority, ordering the three-week trial to proceed despite disruptions. Las Vegas prosecutors, North Las Vegas PD, and LVMPD drive the case with raid evidence. Defense attorney Craig Mueller affirms readiness, countering Chasing Horse’s complaints. Unnamed victims from multiple states seek closure. Short-term, the outburst risks jury prejudice but fails to delay proceedings. Long-term, conviction could set precedents for holding self-proclaimed spiritual leaders accountable, eroding misplaced trust in abusers. Indigenous “Indian Country” grapples with fallout, while Hollywood’s Native portrayals face scrutiny. Chasing Horse’s daughter, model Quannah Chasinghorse, faces indirect impacts. Political angles include tribal versus state jurisdiction questions. Trial begins January 12, 2026, promising revelations on cult dynamics and victim testimonies.
Sources:
Wikipedia: Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse
IMDb: Nathan Chasing Horse
News4Jax: ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse disrupts court week before sex abuse trial
IMDb Bio: Nathan Chasing Horse
ABC News: Alleged victim of Nathan Chasing Horse details sexual assault
Apple TV: Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse
Times Union: ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse disrupts court
