Rosebud Sioux teen's death leads to federal charges against two men on parole
Prosecutors allege a Sioux Falls man provided the drugs that killed 14-year-old McKenna Wendel while another parolee helped conceal evidence
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Iowa indicted 51-year-old Mark Milk of Sioux Falls on five felony counts related to the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight. In the indictment, Milk is accused of providing the cocaine that killed Wendel on March 14, giving her THC, transporting her across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity and concealing evidence. Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings, also was indicted on two felony counts alleging he helped conceal evidence.
Both men were on parole at the time of the alleged crimes, according to the South Dakota Searchlight reporting. Milk had been released in 2024 after then-Gov. Kristi Noem commuted his life sentence for manslaughter, while Rogness was serving parole after a manslaughter conviction. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Leif Olson declined to discuss details beyond the charges, saying investigators will "prove at trial" the allegations outlined in the indictment.
- 1.John Hult. Sioux Falls man on parole for manslaughter is charged with providing drugs that killed his niece. South Dakota Searchlight.
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