(KTIV) — A South Dakota man has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges connected to the disappearance and death of his 14-year-old niece.
51-year-old Mark Milk of Sioux Falls entered the pleas Monday during his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court in Sioux City. Milk appeared in handcuffs and ankle restraints for the hearing, which lasted less than 15 minutes.
Milk was ordered to remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sioux City Federal Building and Courthouse.
Five Federal Charges
A federal grand jury indicted Milk in June.
The indictment alleges Milk possessed with intent to distribute and distributed cocaine, the use of which resulted in the death of McKenna Wendel. He is also accused of possessing with intent to distribute and distributing THC.
Another count alleges Milk transported a minor across a state line with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The remaining two charges accuse Milk of conspiring to conceal objects and concealing objects with the intent to impair their integrity or availability for an official proceeding.
Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred within Iowa’s Northern District. If convicted on all charges, Milk could face a maximum sentence of life in prison, a one-million-dollar fine, and up to five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Milk’s trial is scheduled to begin September 28 in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.
Co-Defendant Awaiting Court Appearance
38-year-old Jon Rogness of Brookings, South Dakota, is also charged in the case.
Rogness faces one count of conspiracy to conceal objects with the intent to impair their integrity and availability for an official proceeding. He is also charged with being an accessory to Milk after the alleged cocaine distribution resulted in Wendel’s death.
His initial appearance and arraignment are scheduled for August 6 at the federal courthouse in Sioux City.
If convicted on both charges, Rogness could face a maximum of 35 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to five years of supervised release.
Investigation Included Lyon County
Wendel was reported missing from Sioux Falls on March 13. Her remains were found March 19 in rural Brookings County. Authorities believe she died from a cocaine overdose.
The investigation crossed several jurisdictions and included locations in Lyon County, Iowa, and Rock County, Minnesota, where authorities said Wendel and others may have been during the case’s timeline.
The FBI, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Lyon County Attorney’s Office were among the agencies involved in the investigation.
Milk is Wendel’s uncle. He previously served more than 30 years of a life sentence for manslaughter in South Dakota. His sentence was commuted in 2023, and he was granted parole in 2024.
The charges against Milk and Rogness are allegations. Both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
