“Dances with Wolves” actor arrested on sexual assault costs in Nevada raid

Las Vegas police on Tuesday arrested and raided the house of a former “Dances With Wolves” actor turned alleged cult chief accused of sexually assaulting younger indigenous ladies throughout a interval spanning 20 years, based on police information obtained by The Associated Press.

Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, who goes by Nathan Chasing Horse, was taken into custody within the afternoon close to the North Las Vegas dwelling he’s stated to share along with his 5 wives. SWAT officers had been seen exterior the two-story dwelling within the night as detectives searched the property.

Known for his position because the younger Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot within the Oscar-winning Kevin Costner movie, Chasing Horse gained a popularity amongst tribes throughout the United States and in Canada as a so-called medication man who carried out therapeutic ceremonies and non secular gatherings and, police allege, used his place to abuse younger Native American ladies.

His arrest is the end result of a monthslong investigation that started after police acquired a tip in October 2022. According to a 50-page search warrant obtained by AP, Chasing Horse is believed to be the chief of a cult often known as The Circle.

According to the doc, Las Vegas police have recognized at the least six alleged victims and uncovered sexual allegations in opposition to Chasing Horse courting to the early 2000s in a number of states, together with Montana, South Dakota and Nevada, the place he has lived for a couple of decade.

There was no lawyer listed in courtroom information for Chasing Horse who may touch upon his behalf as of Tuesday night.

Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is dwelling to the Sicangu Sioux, one of many seven tribes of the Lakota nation.

In 2018, based on the warrant, he was banished from the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Montana, amid allegations of human trafficking.

“Nathan Chasing Horse used non secular traditions and their perception system as a device to sexually assault younger ladies on quite a few events,” it reads, including that his followers believed he may talk with larger beings and referred to him as “Medicine Man” or “Holy Person.”

Although the warrant contains particulars of crimes reported elsewhere, the arrest stems from crimes allegedly dedicated in Nevada’s Clark County. They embrace intercourse trafficking, sexual assault of a kid youthful than 16 and youngster abuse.

Some of the alleged victims had been as younger as 13, based on the warrant. One of Chasing Horse’s wives was allegedly supplied to him as a “reward” when she was 15, whereas one other grew to become a spouse after turning 16.

Chasing Horse is also accused of recording sexual assaults and arranging intercourse with the victims for different males who allegedly paid him.