UMVA has learned that a man who spent nearly three decades behind bars for a manslaughter conviction in South Dakota has been charged in connection with the tragic death of his 14-year-old niece.
Mark Milk, 51, was serving a life sentence for stabbing a man to death when he was 19, but he received a commutation from former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem in 2023. Now, Milk faces five counts related to the death of McKenna Wendel, who went missing on March 13 from Sioux Falls.
The case took a dark turn when Wendel's body was discovered five days later outside the small town of Brookings, north of Sioux Falls. FBI special agent Gene Kowel described the case as "horrific," saying that investigations involving children are always the most heart-wrenching and tragic.
Milk has been charged with possession with intent to deliver the cocaine that caused Wendel's death, according to court documents. He also faces charges of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Authorities allege that Milk intentionally distributed a substance containing cocaine in Iowa on or about March 14.
The indictment stated that Wendel's death resulted from the use of the controlled substance that Milk possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed. U.S. attorney Ron Parsons said that the charges brought are the most serious and readily provable.
Another man, Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings, faces conspiracy and accessory charges in an alleged attempt to cover up the crimes. Wendel was reportedly raised by her grandparents and had a vibrant personality, loving animals, attending pow wows, and enjoying the sounds of drums.
Milk's history with the law includes a life sentence for manslaughter, which was commuted by Noem last year. The commutation documents were sealed, and even the South Dakota Attorney General had not seen them. Milk was back behind bars when Wendel's body was discovered, having been arrested for driving under the influence and eluding police.
Noem, a Republican, was previously fired from her Homeland Security post by U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision to commute Milk's life sentence was strictly hers, according to the South Dakota Attorney General.
