A South Dakota man previously granted clemency by former governor Kristi Noem now faces federal charges in the death of his 14-year-old niece. Mark Milk, 51, and another man were indicted this week in connection with the March disappearance and killing of McKenna Wendel.
Mark Milk was charged with five counts, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine resulting in death and transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity. A second man, Jon Rogness, 38, faces conspiracy and accessory charges tied to efforts to conceal evidence.
Wendel was reported missing from Sioux Falls on March 13 and last seen alive early the next day. Her body was recovered five days later near Brookings, about 55 miles north of the city. Prosecutors said the charged conduct occurred in northern Iowa.
Milk had been serving a life sentence for a 1993 manslaughter conviction when Noem commuted it in 2023. He was paroled in May 2024. Authorities announced the new charges at a press conference in Sioux City, Iowa, describing them as the most serious readily provable offenses.
Noem served as South Dakota governor from 2019 to 2025 before her appointment and later dismissal as homeland security secretary.