A former Hollywood actor accused of leading a cult that sexually abused Native American girls disrupted his own court hearing just days before his trial on 21 felony charges begins.
Story Snapshot
- Nathan Chasing Horse, known from “Dances with Wolves,” was thrown out of Las Vegas court for demanding to fire his attorney
- The 48-year-old faces 21 sexual abuse charges including filming abuse of a minor under 14
- He allegedly exploited his “medicine man” status to groom Native girls as “wives” in his cult called “The Circle”
- Trial is set to proceed as scheduled next week despite his courtroom disruption
Courtroom Chaos Reveals Desperation
Nathan Chasing Horse turned a routine pre-trial hearing into chaos Monday when he interrupted proceedings to demand firing his defense attorney Craig Mueller. Judge Jessica Peterson swiftly removed the disruptive defendant from the Las Vegas courtroom, demonstrating the kind of firm judicial control that’s been missing from too many American courts. The outburst came just one week before his jury trial on serious sexual abuse charges is scheduled to begin.
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From Hollywood Fame to Alleged Cult Leadership
Chasing Horse gained recognition as a child actor playing Smiles a Lot in the 1990 Academy Award-winning film “Dances with Wolves.” He later appeared in several other productions including “Dreamkeeper” and “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.” However, after his acting career, he allegedly used his Hollywood credentials and claimed spiritual authority as a traveling “medicine man” to build a dangerous following across Native American communities in multiple states.
The defendant established what prosecutors describe as a cult called “The Circle,” where he allegedly maintained five wives and used his purported spiritual status to exploit vulnerable Native women and girls. Police investigations revealed evidence of at least six victims, with abuse dating back to the early 2000s. One victim was reportedly assaulted starting at age 13, highlighting the particularly heinous nature of these alleged crimes against children.
Pattern of Abuse Spans Multiple States
Law enforcement agencies uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, and even extending into Canada. A SWAT raid on Chasing Horse’s North Las Vegas home in January 2023 yielded crucial evidence supporting the victims’ accounts. The investigation began after a police tip in October 2022 brought decades-old allegations to light, demonstrating how predators can hide behind cultural and spiritual authority.
The case faced a significant setback in 2024 when the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed the original indictment due to prosecutorial errors involving jury instructions. However, prosecutors successfully refiled the charges, showing their commitment to pursuing justice for the alleged victims. This persistence in the face of legal obstacles reflects the serious nature of the evidence against the defendant.
Trial Moves Forward Despite Disruption Tactics
Despite Chasing Horse’s attempt to delay proceedings by firing his attorney, Judge Peterson refused to be manipulated and confirmed the trial will begin as scheduled. Defense attorney Mueller stated he had adequately prepared for the case, contradicting his client’s claims of inadequate representation. The defendant’s courtroom outburst appears to be a desperate last-minute attempt to avoid facing justice for his alleged crimes against vulnerable Native American women and children.
‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse disrupts court week before sex abuse trialhttps://t.co/AogKouRcEt
— Las Vegas Sun (@LasVegasSun) January 6, 2026
This case represents more than just individual criminal charges – it exposes how predators can exploit cultural and spiritual authority to harm the most vulnerable members of society. The alleged victims, who sought healing and guidance from someone they trusted as a spiritual leader, deserve their day in court without further delay tactics from the defendant.
Sources:
Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse – Wikipedia
Alleged victim of Nathan Chasing Horse sexual assault details – ABC News
