Tuesday, May 12, 2026

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A newly filed federal lawsuit alleges two Las Vegas hotel-casinos enabled years of sex trafficking tied to convicted sex offender Nathan Chasing Horse.

The civil complaint was filed on behalf of two survivors, and names Boyd Gaming, Station Casinos, and other entities as defendants.

The suit alleges trafficking occurred at properties including Cannery Casino & Hotel and Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino between 2014 and 2022.

According to the lawsuit, Chasing Horse used his position as a self-described spiritual leader to manipulate and control women through coercion, isolation, and threats of violence.

The complaint alleges the women were forced into commercial sex acts while hotel staff ignored visible warning signs.

Attorney Alex Marcinko represents the survivors.

“People like Nathan Chasing Horse don’t operate in a vacuum. He doesn’t exist without other entities allowing him to.”

The lawsuit alleges hotel staff repeatedly rented rooms to Chasing Horse despite signs the women were being controlled and exploited. It also claims the hotels financially benefited from the repeated stays.

“There was obvious signs of the torment these women were undergoing at these hotels, and nothing was done.”

Chasing Horse was convicted earlier this year on sex trafficking and sexual abuse charges and sentenced in April to 37 years to life in prison.

The lawsuit was filed under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which allows survivors to pursue civil claims against businesses accused of knowingly benefiting from trafficking ventures.

Marcinko says the case could also raise broader questions about accountability within the hotel industry.

“The hotel industry turns a blind eye to the human suffering in sex trafficking. It happens far too often.”

The lawsuit seeks damages for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm the survivors say they endured.

Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska has a unique program that brings Alaska Airlines employees — known as “glam fairies” — to help students from villages across Alaska get ready for prom, as KCAW’s Hope McKenney reports.

For the past fourteen or so years, volunteers with the Prom Prince and Princess program have helped Mt. Edgecumbe students get glammed up for prom.

They do hair, nails, and makeup, provide jewelry, shoes, corsages, and boutonnieres, and even do alterations on the many donated suits and dresses.

“So I’m really happy to be here, because I love doing hair and makeup.”

Lisa Lynch is one of the many glam faeries helping in the crowded room.

“So I’m happy to be able to do this for other kids whose families can’t be here to help them like that.”

Alonza Topkok just finished her turn in the makeup chair.

“I wanted shimmer, and I wanted glitter, and that’s exactly what they gave me.”

She says her prom look is inspired by the 2001 Mariah Carey cult classic “Glitter”.

She says it means a lot that people volunteer their time and donate clothes, makeup, and jewelry when she and her friends don’t have family members nearby to help out.

Freshman Andrew Adams from Mentasta Lake is hovering at the entrance to the common room with his friends Calvin and Kacin.

Adams went to a middle school prom a couple of years ago, but this is his first high school prom.

When asked if they are all going to go up and ask those girls to dance, Adams replied, “Maybe, yeah.”

Despite some nerves, Adams and his friends eventually ask one of the volunteers to help them get ready.

Circling back around with them afterward, refreshed and ready to head out, they seem like they’re going to be just fine.

 

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Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – High gas prices eat into business profits and personal budgets