The trial of Nathan Chasing Horse, a former child actor from the Oscar-winning film Dances with Wolves, has begun in Las Vegas, casting a stark light on allegations of sexual abuse, spiritual manipulation, and the operation of a cult-like group.
From Hollywood to Healing: The Rise of an Alleged Predator
Chasing Horse, who played Smiles a Lot in the 1990 epic, later reinvented himself as a travelling Native American medicine man, performing healing ceremonies across North America. His reputation drew in individuals like Melissa Leone, who was seeking a connection to her Lakota heritage. "It was like he turned the lights on in a dark room," Leone recalled of her first ceremony in 2005.
He cultivated an image of a powerful healer, often recounting stories like that of his mother's miraculous recovery from terminal cancer. Followers were told that participating in ceremonies, such as blowing a sacred whistle, required a profound personal sacrifice. "Your life will be shortened a few years," he warned, instilling a deep sense of fear and obligation, according to former associate Fernando Trujillo.
A Circle of Control and Alleged Crimes
Chasing Horse led a group known as the Circle, which at its peak had roughly 300 members. Within this insular community, he is accused of wielding absolute control. The criminal indictment details how this influence allegedly enabled him to sexually abuse minors, including the daughter of follower Melissa Leone.
In 2013, when Leone was diagnosed with cancer, her 14-year-old daughter, Ren Leone-LaCroix, travelled to Las Vegas to seek Chasing Horse's help. Court records state he allegedly took her into a closet, told her it was "a life for a life," which he explained meant taking "her first born and her virginity," and then raped her. She alleges the abuse continued for years.
Chasing Horse now faces 21 charges, including sexual assault of a minor, first-degree kidnapping of a minor, and using a minor in producing pornography. He has pleaded not guilty. The case highlights a broader, under-reported pattern of exploitation within some Native American communities.
A Wider Pattern of Exploitation in 'Indian Country'
Advocates stress this is not an isolated incident. Crystal Lee, CEO of United Natives, stated Chasing Horse is "not a one-off." Since 2024, purported medicine men from several tribes, including the Saskatchewan Cree and the Ute Mountain Ute, have been convicted of sexual assault.
"This is about medicine people, and all Indian country, exploiting their people under the guise of spirituality," said Melissa Leone. "That must end." A 2016 study found more than half of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced sexual violence.
Concerns about Chasing Horse's conduct were raised years ago. In 2015, leaders of the Fort Peck tribe in Montana banned him from their reservation over allegations of human trafficking, drug dealing, and spiritual abuse.
His arrest in Las Vegas in 2023 came after a lengthy investigation. Police reported finding video evidence of him having sex with a minor. An initial indictment was dismissed due to a procedural error, but a grand jury re-indicted him in 2024.
For survivors like Melissa Leone, the trial is a pivotal moment. She remains cancer-free but now rejects the idea that Chasing Horse was responsible. "I am not giving Nathan the power over my wellness or my sickness," she said, expressing confidence that justice will finally be served.
