Two women have filed a federal lawsuit against Las Vegas hotel-casinos, alleging that these establishments enabled sex trafficking orchestrated by convicted sex offender Nathan Chasing Horse. The legal action, initiated by the law firm Andreozzi + Foote alongside The 702 Firm, was lodged on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit is filed on behalf of two survivors, referred to by their initials. The complaint names several defendants, including:
- Boyd Gaming Corporation (owner of The Cannery Casino & Hotel)
- Cannery Hotel and Casino, LLC (operating as The Cannery Casino & Hotel)
- Station Casinos, LLC (operator of Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino)
- Additional unnamed entities referred to as “Roe Corporations I–X”
Allegations Against the Casinos
According to the complaint, the survivors were trafficked at these properties from approximately 2014 to 2022, being forced into commercial sex acts. The lawsuit claims that hotel staff ignored evident warning signs and enabled the trafficker by repeatedly renting rooms.
Nathan Chasing Horse allegedly exploited his self-proclaimed role as a spiritual leader in the Lakota community to manipulate victims. The complaint details how he used coercion, isolation, and threats of violence to control them. Victims were reportedly branded with spider tattoos, visible to hotel employees.
Neglect and Inaction by Hotel Staff
The lawsuit charges hotel personnel with failing to intervene despite obvious signs of distress displayed by the victims. It is alleged that staff interacted positively with Chasing Horse, even providing him gifts to encourage his continued stay.
Criminal Accountability and Civil Action
In January, Chasing Horse was convicted of sex trafficking and sexual abuse charges, receiving a sentence of 37 years to life in prison. The lawsuit is brought under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This legislation allows survivors to pursue civil claims against those who knowingly benefit from trafficking activities.
The complaint also includes claims of negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness against the hotel-casinos. Attorney Alex Marcinko emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “This lawsuit focuses on the role that businesses may have played in allowing the trafficking to continue.” He noted that the signs of trafficking were clear and persistent over several years.
Seeking Justice and Recognition
The survivors are not only seeking accountability from the implicated casino operators but also hope for acknowledgment of the significant physical, emotional, and psychological harm they endured during their years of trafficking. This case highlights the need for vigilance and responsibility in the hospitality industry to prevent such exploitation from occurring.
