ONE OF THE SUSPECTS CHARGED IN THE DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH OF 14-YEAR-OLD MCKENNA WENDEL OF SIOUX FALLS HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN SIOUX CITY FEDERAL COURT TO THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.
52-YEAR-OLD MARK MILK OF SIOUX FALLS IS CHARGED WITH FIVE COUNTS INCLUDING POSSESSED WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND DISTRIBUTED COCAINE, THE USE OF WHICH ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN WENDEL’S DEATH.
HE IS ALSO CHARGED WITH POSSESSED WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE AND DISTRIBUTED T-H-C; TRANSPORTED A MINOR ACROSS A STATE LINE WITH THE INTENT TO ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY; CONSPIRED TO CONCEAL OBJECTS WITH THE INTENT TO IMPAIR THEIR INTEGRITY AND AVAILABILITY FOR AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING; AND CONCEALED OBJECTS WITH THE INTENT TO IMPAIR THEIR AVAILABILITY FOR AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING.
MILK WAS ORDERED DETAINED, PENDING A DETENTION HEARING SET FOR 2:30 P.M. ON JULY 30 FOLLOWING HIS INITIAL APPEARANCE MONDAY IN FEDERAL COURT.
TRIAL IN MILK’S CASE IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 28 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN SIOUX CITY.
MILK AND HIS CO-DEFENDANT, JON ROGNESS OF BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA, WERE INDICTED ON JUNE 17.
IF CONVICTED, MILK FACES A POSSIBLE MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A ONE MILLION DOLLAR FINE.
ROGNESS’S INITIAL APPEARANCE AND ARRAIGNMENT ARE SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 6.
HE IS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO CONCEAL OBJECTS WITH THE INTENT TO IMPAIR THEIR INTEGRITY AND AVAILABILITY FOR AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING; AND ACCESSORY TO MILK AFTER THE ALLEGED COCAINE POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION RESULTED IN MCKENNA WENDEL’S DEATH.
THE CASE IS BEING PROSECUTED BY ASSISTANT U.S.ATTORNEY FORDE FAIRCHILD IN IOWA BECAUSE OF THE ALLEGED CRIMES OCCURRING IN LYON COUNTY.
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