North Las Vegas, Nev. ( Associated Press) – A judge set bail at $300,000 Wednesday for a “Dances With Wolves” actor accused of sexually assaulting and trafficking indigenous women and minors in Nevada.
North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Craig Newman said that if Nathan Chasing Horse is released after posting bail, he must live with a family member. They said the 46-year-old actor, who played Smiles A Lot, a young member of the Sioux tribe, in the 1990 Oscar-winning film starring Kevin Costner, would be electronically monitored and not have access to drugs, alcohol or weapons. Needed new man. He is also not allowed to have contact with the alleged victims or minors.
Under Nevada law, Chasing Horse must pay 15% of the $45,000 bail amount to secure his release. When he left the court after a brief hearing, his supporters refused to talk to reporters.
A prosecutor requested a $2 million bond, citing Chasing Horse as a danger to the community and a flight risk. Clark County Public Defender Christy Holston asked the judge to set bail at $50,000.
According to officials, Chasing Horse spent decades building a reputation among tribes in the United States and Canada as a “doctor”. Authorities accused him of abusing that position to physically and sexually abuse women and minors, as well as minor wives.
He was evicted from the Fort Peck reservation in Poplar, Montana, in 2015 on similar charges, and authorities in British Columbia, Canada, this week charged Chasing Horse with alleged sexual assault from 2018.
In Nevada, Chasing Horse has been charged with eight felonies, including sex trafficking, sexual assault and child abuse. He has entered a not guilty plea.
After Wednesday’s hearing, Holston told The Associated Press he was pleased with the order.
“We find it noteworthy that the judge, after reviewing the case, granted an appropriate amount of bail,” he said.
Holston declined to comment on the allegations, but said he looks forward to pursuing the next court hearing, scheduled for February 22. At that hearing, a judge is expected to hear the evidence in the case and decide whether Chasing Horse will go to trial.
“We really look forward to the preliminary hearing of this case,” he said, “because this is another public hearing where we will have the opportunity to point out weaknesses in the case brought by the state.”
Clark County Chief Assistant District Attorney William Rawls pointed to Chasing Horse supporters in court that the former actor has a “vast” network of relationships in Las Vegas, Canada and Mexico.
Rawls said police found evidence at Chasing Horse’s home last week that showed he was “in the process of wooing minors who have become his wives.” Rawls declined to comment after the judge set the bail amount.
Relatives and supporters of Chasing Horse packed the courtroom on Wednesday as his last hearing took place on Jan. 31 at the North Las Vegas home he shares with five women he identified as his wives.
In a 50-page warrant and 53-page arrest report, Las Vegas police described Chasing Horse as the leader of a cult called The Circle, whose followers believe he communicates with higher powers.
Police said they have identified at least six victims, one who was 13 when she said she was abused and another who said she was given as a “gift” when she was 15. I was offered to follow.
Police SWAT officers took Chasing Horse into custody last week, and according to the arrest report, detectives who searched the family’s home said they found weapons, 41 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and cellphone videos depicting sexual abuse against minors. meet.
Chasing Horses also uses the name Nathan Lee Chasing His Horses. He was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, where the Sikangu Sioux live, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota Nation.
