Nevada Judge Sentences Nathan Chasing Horse To Life For Sexual Assaults
A Nevada judge on Monday, April 27, 2026, sentenced actor Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison for multiple sexual-assault convictions tied to abuses of Indigenous women and girls.
Judge Jessica Peterson imposed the life term and said Chasing Horse preyed on victims' trust and spirituality. The judge set parole eligibility at 37 years. During the sentencing hearing, victims and family members described ongoing trauma as Chasing Horse stared ahead; he told the court, "This is a miscarriage of justice," and continued to deny the charges.
The case traces back to an 11-day trial in January when a jury convicted Chasing Horse on 13 of 21 sexual-assault-related counts. Prosecutors said he used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls, and three women testified that he sexually assaulted them, some while they were underage. Authorities first arrested and indicted him in 2023.
Chasing Horse also faces sex-crime charges in other U.S. states and in Canada.[1] prosecutors paused a 2023 case and resumed it in 2024; they say they will decide how to proceed after U.S. sentencing and any appeals are completed. A warrant remains outstanding in Alberta, and Tsuut'ina Nation Police are coordinating with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office about that warrant.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, a Nevada judge sentenced Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 37 years.
- A jury in January 2026 convicted him on 13 of 21 sexual-assault-related charges following an 11-day trial.
- Prosecutors said he exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls; three women testified they were sexually assaulted, some while underage, and jurors returned guilty verdicts tied to all three accusers.
- Many of the counts involved a victim who was 14 years old when the assaults began; Chasing Horse was acquitted on some later-period charges involving the same victim after she moved in with him.
- At the sentencing hearing, victims and family members described ongoing trauma while Chasing Horse continued to deny the charges, telling the court, “This is a miscarriage of justice” (Fox News).
- Judge Jessica Peterson said Chasing Horse preyed on victims' trust and spirituality and noted his continued denial of guilt despite the trial evidence.
- Authorities first arrested and indicted Chasing Horse in 2023; he also faces sex-crime charges in other U.S. states and in Canada, and British Columbia resumed a paused 2023 sexual-assault case in 2024 and says it will assess next steps after U.S. sentencing and any appeals are completed.
- Corena Leone-LaCroix, a victim who was 14 when the abuse began, delivered a detailed impact statement about lost childhood milestones, including a graduation she never had.
- A warrant for Chasing Horse remains outstanding in Alberta, and Tsuut'ina Nation Police say they are coordinating with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding that warrant.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
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- On Monday, April 27, 2026, a Nevada judge sentenced Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 37 years.
- Judge Jessica Peterson said Chasing Horse preyed on victims' trust and spirituality and noted his continued denial of guilt despite trial evidence.
- Victim Corena Leone-LaCroix, who was 14 when the abuse began, delivered a detailed impact statement about lost childhood milestones, including a graduation she never had.
- The article clarifies that British Columbia resumed a paused 2023 sexual assault case against Chasing Horse in 2024 and will assess next steps after his U.S. appeals are exhausted.
- A warrant for Chasing Horse remains outstanding in Alberta, and Tsuut'ina Nation Police say they are coordinating with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding that warrant.
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, a Nevada judge sentenced Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison after a jury in January convicted him on 13 of 21 sexual-assault-related charges.
- Many of the counts involved a victim who was 14 years old when the assaults began; Chasing Horse was acquitted on some later-period charges involving the same victim after she moved in with him.
- During the sentencing hearing before Judge Jessica Peterson, victims and family members described ongoing trauma while Chasing Horse stared straight ahead and told the court, "This is a miscarriage of justice," continuing to deny the charges.
- The January 2026 trial lasted 11 days, during which prosecutors said Chasing Horse exploited his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls; three women testified he sexually assaulted them, some while they were underage, and jurors returned guilty verdicts tied to all three accusers.
- Authorities first arrested and indicted Chasing Horse in 2023, and officials said the January verdict and April 27 sentencing capped a yearslong effort to hold him accountable.
- Chasing Horse also faces sex crime charges in other U.S. states and in Canada; British Columbia prosecutors said they will decide how to proceed after his U.S. sentencing and any appeals are completed.