‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse indicted in sexual assault case

LAS VEGAS — A grand jury in Nevada indicted an actor known for his role in the 1990 film “Dances With Wolves” om multiple charges of sexual assault, prosecutors said Wednesday.

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Nathan Chasing Horse, 46, who played Smiles A Lot in the Academy Award-winning film, was indicted on 19 charges that included sexual assault. Most of the charges involved victims under 16, according to KLAS-TV.

According to the Clark County grand jury, Chasing Horse was indicted on 10 counts of sexual assault with a minor under 16, six counts of sexual assault, open and gross lewdness, kidnapping of a minor, and trafficking a controlled substance, the television station reported. Prosecutors believe the crimes were committed between 2014 and 2020.

A judge announced at the beginning of the preliminary hearing, which was canceled, that Chasing Horse will soon face trial, KTNV-TV reported.

Chasing Horse’s public defender, Kristy Holston, told The Associated Press that she was looking forward to revealing holes in the state’s case. She declined to elaborate.

Police arrested Chasing Horse -- previously known as Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse -- at his North Las Vegas home on Jan. 31, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a tweet.

Chasing Horse was born in Rosebud Reservation, South Dakota, according to IMDb. He played a young Sioux in “Dances With Wolves,” the film starring Kevin Costner that won seven Academy Awards, including best picture. The film was nominated for 12 Oscars; Costner, while not winning the best actor award, received an Academy Award as best director.

Chasing Horse also appeared in several television movies, according to The Washington Post.

Police said that Chasing Horse allegedly performed healing ceremonies and spiritual gatherings as a reputed medicine man in the U.S. and Canada, The Associated Press reported. Authorities alleged that Chasing Horse used his position to abuse young indigenous girls.

According to a 50-page search warrant obtained by the news organization, Chasing Horse is believed to be the leader of a cult known as The Circle.

An arraignment is scheduled for March 1 in Clark County District Court, the AP reported.

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