Who is Mark Milk? Kristi Noem Man released from life sentence now charged in death of 14-year-old niece McKenna Wendel
South Dakota man Mark Milk, who received a commuted sentence from the governor from his life sentence for manslaughter, is federally indicted in the drug-related death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel, whose body was found in a creek weeks after she went missing.
Milk, 51, of Sioux Falls, faces charges including distribution of cocaine resulting in death, transportation of a minor for criminal sex activity and conspiracy to conceal evidence, authorities announced this week.
Mark Milk’s past
Milk is always available life imprisonment Convicted of manslaughter for stabbing incident in 1993 die Sean Penox. He was only 19 at the time and had been involved in several altercations in Winner that ultimately resulted in Peno’s death, CBS News reported.
In February 2023, then-Gov. Kristi Noem His life sentence was commuted. “Mark Milk’s petition for commutation and the facts relevant to this case have been submitted to me, from which it appears that the purposes of justice will be best served by granting the petition for commutation,” Noem’s order said, according to KELO-TV.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley later said the decision was “entirely Noem’s,” adding, “Law enforcement often opposes commutations.”
according to Leader of ArgusIn asking for a reduced sentence, Milk told authorities he had set aside some of the money he earned through work release for college tuition for his nieces and valued the time he spent with them. Photos from 2018 posted by the outlet show McKenna, 6, sitting on Milk’s lap during family visits to the jail.
What charges does Mark Milk face?
McKenna was reported missing on March 13 and was last seen alive in Sioux Falls early the next morning. Her body was found March 19 in a creek near Brookings. Around the time her body was discovered, Milk was arrested on unrelated charges of driving under the influence and eluding police, People reported.
Mielke has been charged with five crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, although he was publicly labeled as a potential suspect during the months-long investigation. He is accused of distributing drugs resulting in death, transporting a minor for sex crimes and attempting to conceal evidence from investigators. He is also accused of working with others to conceal evidence that could be used in official proceedings.
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“Moreover, MW’s death was caused by the use of a controlled substance that defendant possessed for distribution and distribution,” his indictment states. Kailo TV.
“The charges we brought are the most serious and easily proven,” said U.S. Attorney for Northern Iowa Ron Parsons. “This is a horrific case,” FBI Special Agent Gene Covell added. “There are few cases we investigate that are more heartbreaking and tragic than those involving a child or the death of a child.”
Court records do not indicate an attorney for Milk, and it is unclear whether he has denied the charges.
A second suspect, Jon Rogness, 38, was also charged with conspiracy and accessory after the fact for allegedly helping cover up the crime, prosecutors said.
