SHOCKING Exploitation Scandal: Former Actor’s Dark Secrets

A former Hollywood actor who portrayed himself as a spiritual leader now faces trial on charges he used that authority to sexually exploit Indigenous women and girls for over two decades, exposing how predators manipulate faith and cultural respect to victimize the vulnerable.

Story Snapshot

Nathan Chasing Horse, known from 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” stands trial on 21 felony charges including sexual assault, child abuse, and kidnapping of Indigenous victims.
Prosecutors allege Chasing Horse created a cult called “The Circle,” posing as a Lakota medicine man to groom women and girls seeking spiritual healing.
The trial began January 20, 2026, in Las Vegas after a 2024 Nevada Supreme Court ruling forced prosecutors to refile charges due to procedural errors.
Chasing Horse has been jailed since his January 2023 arrest at a North Las Vegas home he shared with five wives, maintaining his innocence throughout.

Hollywood Fame Twisted Into Predatory Deception

Nathan Chasing Horse parlayed his role in the Oscar-winning film “Dances With Wolves” into a career as a self-proclaimed Lakota medicine man following the 1990 release. Born on South Dakota’s Rosebud Reservation, Chasing Horse traveled across North America conducting healing ceremonies, building trust within Indigenous communities. Prosecutors now contend he systematically exploited that spiritual authority to abuse vulnerable women and girls who sought his help for medical or spiritual needs. The case underscores a disturbing pattern where celebrity status and cultural credibility provided cover for alleged predatory behavior spanning decades.

Opening statements begin in sex assault trial of ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse https://t.co/0lWI09SLCp

— Fox 18 KLJB (@YourFox18) January 21, 2026

Cult Leadership and Systematic Abuse Allegations

Authorities arrested Chasing Horse on January 31, 2023, near his North Las Vegas compound where he lived with five wives. Investigators allege he led a cult known as “The Circle,” convincing followers he could communicate with spirits. The 21-count indictment includes charges of sexual assault, child abuse, kidnapping, and human trafficking targeting Indigenous women and girls. Prosecutors claim Chasing Horse filmed abuse of a victim under age 14 and used his healer reputation to groom victims over approximately 20 years. The allegations sent shock waves through Native American communities, where spiritual leaders traditionally hold positions of immense trust and respect.

Legal Setbacks and Trial Proceedings

The path to trial faced significant obstacles when Nevada’s Supreme Court dismissed the original indictment on September 26, 2024, citing prosecutorial abuse during grand jury proceedings. The court found prosecutors improperly provided jurors with grooming definitions without expert testimony to support those characterizations. Prosecutors refiled charges later in 2024, and jury selection concluded January 17, 2026, seating 12 jurors plus four alternates. Judge Jessica Peterson maintained control despite courtroom disruptions, including a January 5, 2026, incident where Chasing Horse demanded his attorney be replaced, claiming inadequate jail visits. The judge ordered the trial to proceed, and opening statements commenced January 20, 2026.

Broader Implications for Indigenous Communities

This case highlights critical vulnerabilities within Native American communities where spiritual leaders operate largely outside formal oversight structures. The allegations raise concerns about jurisdictional complexities—Chasing Horse faces separate charges in British Columbia, Canada, from a 2018 incident—that can complicate prosecution of crimes spanning multiple states and international borders. The trial sets potential precedent for holding self-proclaimed spiritual authorities accountable when they allegedly exploit cultural traditions and religious authority. Defense attorney Craig Mueller emphasized the presumption of innocence, urging the jury to withhold judgment until all evidence is presented. The three-week trial will determine whether fame and spiritual pretense enabled systematic abuse or whether prosecutors overreached in their accusations against a man exercising traditional practices.

Chasing Horse remains incarcerated since his 2023 arrest, held on $300,000 bail. The case serves as a sobering reminder that positions of spiritual authority, like any position of power, can attract those who exploit trust for personal gratification. Conservative principles emphasize accountability and protection of the vulnerable—values directly at stake when anyone manipulates faith or cultural identity to harm others. The jury’s verdict will not only determine one man’s fate but may influence how communities identify and protect against predators who weaponize spiritual credibility.