How the definition of ‘grooming’ led to the dismissal of the Nathan Chasing Horse case

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – In its Sept. 26 order dismissing the Las Vegas criminal indictment against an accused sexual predator, the Nevada Supreme Court stated prosecutors improperly provided the definition of “grooming” to the grand jury.

Nathan Chasing Horse, 48, is accused of victimizing indigenous underage girls and women for approximately two decades. Alleged survivors have told the 8 News Now Investigators the “Dances with Wolves” actor developed a bond with them before manipulating and victimizing them.

Grooming is the criminal activity of becoming friends with a child in order to try to persuade the child to have a sexual relationship, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
Chasing Horse was charged with 18 counts in Clark County District Court in connection with alleged sexual abuse against two women, one of them when she was underage.

In February of 2022, a Clark County grand jury indicted Chasing Horse on a total of 19 counts. This included 10 counts of sexual assault against a minor under the age of 16, six counts of sexual assault, along with open and gross lewdness, first-degree kidnapping of a minor, and trafficking in a controlled substance. Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny later dropped one drug charge.

Prosecutors presented the grand jury with a definition of grooming.

“We conclude that it is error for the State to give the grand jury an instruction that is unsupported by the evidence and does not address a necessary element of an offense,” the Nevada Supreme Court order stated.

The order allowed prosecutors to return to the grand jury.

Clark County District Attorney told the 8 News Now Investigators Thursday that prosecutors would seek another indictment against Chasing Horse within weeks and would “follow the dictates” of Nevada’s High Court.

The order was signed by Justices Douglas Herndon, Elissa Cadish, Lidia Stiglich, Kristina Pickering, Patricia Lee, and Linda Bell. Justice Ron Parraguirre dissented.

Chasing Horse, a self-proclaimed “Medicine Man” led a group known as “The Circle,” according to Las Vegas Metro police.

As of Friday, Chasing Horse remained in custody in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas. He declined a request for an interview.

Clark County Public Defender Kristy Holston, who represents Chasing Horse, also declined to comment.

In January of 2023, Las Vegas Metro Police investigated Chasing Horse and executed a search warrant at his North Las Vegas home, where he lived with several women who were referred to as his wives. He was taken into custody.

The 8 News Now Investigators have learned that similar allegations against Chasing Horse have previously been made but did not result in an arrest.

The Las Vegas case is the first of several to move forward against Chasing Horse. He faces federal charges and warrants in Montana and Canada. He has also previously been banned from several reservations.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy with any tips or information, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

To contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline, call 1-800-656-4673.

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