When she was South Dakota’s Governor, Kristi Noem commuted a convicted killer’s life sentence. He has just been charged for the death of a teen

A man whose life sentence for manslaughter was commuted by then-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is now facing federal charges in connection with the death of his 14-year-old niece. According to ABC News, the suspect, 51-year-old Mark Milk, has been charged following a month-long investigation into the death of McKenna Wendel. Authorities have described this as a truly horrific case involving the tragic loss of a young life.

McKenna Wendel was reported missing in mid-March after she was last seen on March 13. Following an active search, her body was discovered on March 19 in a rural area near Brookings, South Dakota. Law enforcement officials have noted that someone with knowledge of her location helped lead them to the site. According to the indictment, the teen died from a drug overdose on or about March 14.

The federal charges against Milk are extensive. He is accused of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, possessing cocaine that led to the death of the teen, and conspiring with another man to destroy evidence. The second defendant in the case is 38-year-old Jon Rogness of Brookings, who is accused of acting as an accessory to help Milk avoid prosecution. Both men are currently in state custody.

The commutation gave him the option for parole, and thus release

Interestingly, ABS noted that the case is being prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa. During a press briefing held on Thursday, Iowa U.S. Attorney Leif Olson explained, “The Department of Justice policy is to pursue the most serious, readily provable charges, and the charges that are alleged in the indictment all occurred within the Northern District of Iowa.” 

He also clarified that the charge does not necessarily imply whether the distribution of cocaine or the death itself took place in Iowa. He noted that such details will be proven at trial.

This case has drawn significant attention due to the primary defendant’s history. Mark Milk was originally sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for manslaughter after fatally stabbing a man during a fight in 1993. As reported by KELO Land, then-Governor Kristi Noem signed an order on February 2, 2023, that reduced his life sentence to 240 years, which made him eligible for parole. 

The official order from the governor stated, “The application of Mark Milk for commutation of sentence having been presented to me, together with facts pertaining to this case, and it appearing there from that the ends of justice would be best served by granting the Commutation of Sentence requested.”

Following this commutation, KELO Land reported that the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Milk parole in June 2024. Records indicate that McKenna Wendel was actually listed as a guest for Milk during that parole hearing. Additionally, the outlet noted that a 2018 article in the Argus Leader had previously featured the family, identifying Milk as McKenna’s uncle and including a photo of the two together at an event for inmates and their families.

ABC reported that the investigation into this matter has been a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. In a press briefing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office Gene Kowel expressed, “This is a horrific case,” Kowel said. “There are no cases that we investigate that are more heart-wrenching, more tragic than ones that involve children or the death of a child.” 

Kowel reportedly also highlighted that McKenna’s family members are part of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Her obituary remembered her as someone who loved attending powwows with the grandparents who raised her. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family in this case, to McKenna’s family,” Kowel added. “From what I’ve heard, I know that her life, although far too short here on Earth, will have a profound impact on everybody who knew her.”

The NY Post reported that Milk had been in custody since March 17. He was initially held on charges related to drunk driving and aggravated eluding, even before the discovery of McKenna’s body. 

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley reportedly addressed the commutation process during a news conference in late March. He pointed out that he was not the attorney general at the time, but explained how the decision could be made. 

“Law enforcement provided the reports that indicate what had occurred back with the initial manslaughter, and then at that point, under the constitution, it’s a determination of the governor to make a commutation or parole decision,” Jackley said. He also mentioned that he was unable to view the full commutation file because it remains under seal.

Like McKenna, two other people went missing. Similar to her, in the case of a California woman in Costa Rica, and a South Carolina woman who went missing, authorities say that they have found bodies. Whether it is the missing women is pending an investigation.