{"id":40317,"date":"2026-07-06T23:57:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/sioux-falls-man-on-parole-for-manslaughter-is-charged-with-providing-drugs-that-killed-his-niece\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T23:57:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:57:44","slug":"sioux-falls-man-on-parole-for-manslaughter-is-charged-with-providing-drugs-that-killed-his-niece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/sioux-falls-man-on-parole-for-manslaughter-is-charged-with-providing-drugs-that-killed-his-niece\/","title":{"rendered":"Sioux Falls man on parole for manslaughter is charged with providing drugs that killed his niece"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span><\/div>
\"Mark<\/a><\/p>\n

Mark Milk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

(This story was originally published by South Dakota Searchlight. Edited for space )<\/span><\/p>\n

SIOUX CITY, Iowa \u2014 A Sioux Falls man on parole for a 1990s manslaughter conviction has been indicted on federal charges in connection with the death of his 14-year-old niece, a case that has intensified scrutiny of South Dakota\u2019s parole system and prompted new state supervision reforms.<\/p>\n

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Iowa on Wednesday charged 51-year-old Mark Milk with five felony counts, alleging he supplied the cocaine that killed McKenna Wendel on March 14, provided her THC, transported her across state lines for illegal sexual activity, and attempted to conceal evidence. Wendel is identified by initials in the indictment, but officials at a Thursday press conference referred to her by name.<\/p>\n

A second man, 38-year-old Jon Rogness of Brookings, was indicted on two felony counts accusing him of helping Milk hide evidence. Rogness, also on parole, had been released in 2024 after serving 16 years of a 45 year manslaughter sentence. He was already facing state drug charges when Wendel died and is now incarcerated at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.<\/p>\n

Milk has been held in the Minnehaha County Jail since March 17, when he was arrested after allegedly fleeing a drunken driving stop. Federal court records did not list attorneys for either man as of Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Wendel\u2019s disappearance and death drew widespread public interest in the three months before the indictments. A Facebook group titled \u201cJustice for McKenna Wendel,\u201d created shortly after she went missing, grew to more than 3,400 members and became a hub for speculation about Milk and Rogness. The group shared livestreams of Wendel\u2019s funeral and Thursday\u2019s press conference.<\/p>\n

Wendel, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, lived with her grandparents in Sioux Falls. She left home on March 13 and did not return. Her grandparents reported her missing on March 15, prompting a multi county search. Her body was found the morning of March 19 in rural Brookings County. As the document states, \u201cHer body was discovered just after 9 a.m. March 19 in rural Brookings.\u201d<\/p>\n

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley visited the scene and told reporters he had assured the family that agencies were working together \u201cto find answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Thursday\u2019s press conference in Sioux City, U.S. Attorney Leif Olson praised the cooperation of law enforcement agencies in South Dakota and Iowa but declined to elaborate on investigative details. When asked whether the crimes occurred in Lyon County, Iowa, Olson said, \u201cthat\u2019s something that we will prove at trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also declined to discuss the relationship between Milk and Rogness.<\/p>\n

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum acknowledged the public\u2019s impatience but emphasized that investigators needed time to build a solid case. \u201cGood investigations and good work take time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Milk\u2019s arrest on March 17 came four days after Wendel disappeared. According to police, he fled a traffic stop, ran a stop sign, and crashed into another vehicle before attempting to escape on foot. At a bond hearing two days later, prosecutors said Milk refused commands, yelled at officers to shoot him, and had to be tased. The transcript notes, \u201cHe refused to comply with commands and ultimately had to be tased.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prosecutors also said Milk had been \u201clying about where he was living\u201d and was \u201cnoncompliant with parole.\u201d<\/p>\n

Judge Sara Pokela ordered him held on a $10,000 cash bond.<\/p>\n

Milk\u2019s release from prison had already been a subject of public debate. He was sentenced to life in 1994 for killing Shawn Peneaux in Tripp County after two fights on Oct. 3, 1993. Court records say Milk stabbed Peneaux and kicked him in the head with steel toed boots, killing him.<\/p>\n

While incarcerated, Milk worked for Metal Craft Industries, participated in powwows, and served as a mentor in the Alternatives to Violence program. At his 2022 commutation hearing, family members \u2014 including Wendel \u2014 spoke in support of his release. The document notes that Wendel \u201cwas at the hearing and asked the board to support his release.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended commuting his sentence from life to 240 years. Then Gov. Kristi Noem approved the commutation in February 2023, making Milk eligible for parole. The board granted parole in June 2024, after Milk had served about 30 years.<\/p>\n

Milk initially worked for Metal Craft after his release, but owner Terry Van Zanten said he fired Milk months before the March arrest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was doing really well. But after a couple of months, he got a girlfriend, and we could tell he was going the wrong direction,\u201d Van Zanten said.<\/p>\n

Milk later worked as a dishwasher at a restaurant, a job allowed under parole rules with agent approval.<\/p>\n

Corrections officials confirmed Thursday that Rogness returned to prison after failing a drug test and losing contact with his parole agent. The Department of Corrections would not say whether either man would have qualified for the enhanced supervision measures implemented after Wendel\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

The case has fueled political debate over parole supervision in South Dakota. Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a \u201cSmarter Supervision Initiative\u201d on April 7, aimed at tightening oversight of parolees. Three weeks later, a Sioux Falls police officer was shot and injured by a man on parole, prompting Rhoden to unveil additional reforms, including:<\/p>\n

\u2022 hiring five new parole agents<\/p>\n

\u2022 faster sanctions for drug related violations<\/p>\n

\u2022 an \u201cenhanced compliance unit\u201d to monitor parolees during nights and weekends<\/p>\n

Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb updated the parole violation policy on March 15, requiring officers to \u201crespond to every violation detected in order to hold offenders accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhoden\u2019s office declined to comment on Noem\u2019s decision to commute Milk\u2019s sentence. A spokesperson noted that Rhoden considers only positive recommendations from the parole board when reviewing clemency requests.<\/p>\n

Noem has faced criticism for issuing holiday season commutations in 2022 and 2023 for inmates who had not been screened by the parole board. Milk\u2019s case, however, followed the standard process: application, board hearing, recommendation, and gubernatorial approval.<\/p>\n

Milk\u2019s relationship with Wendel was well documented. A 2018 Argus Leader story described her sitting on his lap during a prison powwow event. His parents told the parole board they visited him weekly, often bringing Wendel because \u201cMark likes to see his little niece.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wendel\u2019s mother, Milk\u2019s sister, tearfully urged the board to give him a second chance. \u201cI just love him very much. I hope to see good things coming,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Two years later, Wendel was dead, and Milk is accused of supplying the drugs that killed her.<\/p>\n

As the federal case moves forward, questions remain about how Milk and Rogness were supervised and whether the state\u2019s new parole reforms might have prevented Wendel\u2019s death. Corrections officials say each parolee is evaluated individually to determine the appropriate level of supervision.<\/p>\n

Both men remain in custody as federal prosecutors prepare to present their case.<\/p>\n

The post Sioux Falls man on parole for manslaughter is charged with providing drugs that killed his niece<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div>

Mark Milk (This story was originally published by South Dakota Searchlight. Edited for space ) SIOUX CITY, Iowa \u2014 A Sioux Falls man on parole for a 1990s manslaughter conviction has been indicted on federal charges in connection with the death of his 14-year-old niece, a case that has intensified <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> July 6, 2026<\/p>\n

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