Mark Milk, a South Dakota man whose life sentence was commuted in 2023, now faces federal charges tied to the death of his 14-year-old niece, a case spanning multiple states and raising renewed scrutiny over clemency decisions.
SIOUX CITY, IA – A 51-year-old South Dakota man previously granted a commuted life sentence is now accused in federal court of crimes connected to the death of his teenage niece, whose body was found days after she was reported missing. Mark Milk faces multiple felony charges, including drug distribution resulting in death and transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity, according to an indictment unsealed this week.
The charges stem from the disappearance and death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, who was reported missing March 13 and last seen alive in Sioux Falls during the early hours of March 14. Her body was discovered March 19 near Brookings, roughly 55 miles north of Sioux Falls. Federal prosecutors say key events tied to the case occurred in northern Iowa.
Federal charges and allegations
The indictment accuses Milk of possessing and distributing “a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine” on or about March 14, around the last time the teen was seen alive. “Furthermore, the death of M.W. resulted from the use of the controlled substance defendant possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed,” the indictment reads.
Milk is also charged with transporting the minor “with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity,” and with attempting to conceal evidence tied to the case. Prosecutors allege he tried to “corruptly alter, destroy, mutilate, and conceal objects, with the intent to impair their integrity and availability for use in official proceedings,” all in connection with “the disappearance and death of M.W.”
A second man, Jon Rogness, 38, is charged with conspiracy to conceal evidence and acting as an accessory after the fact. Authorities allege Rogness took possession of drugs and worked to hide items connected to the teen’s disappearance and death.
“All charges occurred within the Northern District of Iowa,” South Dakota U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons said during a press conference. “The charges that we brought are the most serious, readily provable.”
Prior conviction and commutation
Milk’s criminal history dates back decades. In 1994, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 1993 stabbing death of Shawn Peneaux, according to appellate records.
In 2023, then-Gov. Kristi Noem commuted Milk’s sentence after he had served approximately 30 years. He was later granted parole in May 2024. The commutation order stated: “The application of Mark Milk for commutation of sentence having been presented to me, together with facts pertaining to this case, and it appearing there from that the ends of justice would be best served by granting the Commutation of Sentence requested.”
By the time Wendel’s body was located, Milk was already in custody in South Dakota on unrelated charges, including driving under the influence and eluding police, according to Sioux Falls police.
“It is fairly often that you see law enforcement oppose commutations,” South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a prior press conference.
The case remains under federal jurisdiction, with proceedings expected to continue in the Northern District of Iowa.
Mark Milk charges, McKenna Wendel case, South Dakota commutation, Sioux Falls missing teen, federal drug death charges
