Milk pleads not guilty to all charges after death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel
Suspect, the victim's uncle, had not met with an attorney prior to Monday’s court appearance and will remain in federal custody pending a Thursday hearing
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A Sioux Falls man facing federal charges in connection with the March death of a 14-year-old missing girl has entered an initial plea.
Inside a federal courtroom in Sioux City, Iowa, on Monday, July 27, 52-year-old Mark Milk pleaded not guilty to six counts lodged against him by a federal grand jury.
The charges include: possession of cocaine with intent to distribute resulting in death, possession of THC with the intent to distribute, transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to conceal objects from federal proceedings and concealing objects from federal proceedings.
The charges stem from the March death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, who had been reported missing in Sioux Falls just six days prior to her body’s discovery east of Brookings.
According to a federal indictment handed down in the Northern District of Iowa, as well as law enforcement sources, Wendel died as a result of a cocaine overdose.
Investigators have confirmed that the criminal investigation into Wendel’s death spans multiple venues, including Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County and Brookings County in South Dakota and Lyon County in Iowa.
The indictment came in June in Iowa, as U.S. Attorney Lief Olson said his jurisdiction featured “the most serious, readily provable charges.”
Milk, shackled and dressed in an orange-striped jumpsuit labeled “Woodbury County Jail,” entered the courtroom and took a seat with his head down prior to the proceedings.
Peder Bartling, Milk’s attorney, appeared via video feed, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Forde Fairchild appeared in person.
With U.S. Marshals on either side of the courtroom, Milk entered a not guilty plea to all counts, indicating he hadn’t yet met with an attorney since he was taken into federal custody.
U.S. District Judge Mark Roberts granted a request from Fairchild that Milk remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing, as Fairchild said an unrelated criminal case in South Dakota doesn’t require Milk to remain behind bars.
Roberts scheduled a detention hearing to be held Thursday, July 30, and established a preliminary hearing date of Sept. 28.
Following Monday’s hearing, Milk remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, lodged at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City.
Facts of the case not discussed
Monday’s court appearance strictly dealt with a plea entry and scheduling matters, leaving no room for discussion of the facts of the case.
Milk waived his right to be read the specific details of the indictment handed down against him, instead opting only to hear the charges themselves.
Details regarding Milk’s criminal history or other pending criminal charges for matters unrelated were also not discussed.
Milk was advised by Roberts to refrain from making statements until after he’s spoken privately with counsel. Bartling indicated a conversation with Milk would occur prior to Thursday’s detention hearing.
Second defendant to appear in August
A second man facing charges related to Milk’s criminal proceedings was not scheduled to appear Monday.
Instead, 38-year-old Jon Rogness, of Brookings, is scheduled to appear at the U.S. District Courthouse in Sioux City on Aug. 6.
Rogness is charged with conspiracy to conceal objects from federal proceedings and accessory after the fact.
According to court documents, Rogness knew crimes had been committed, and conspired with Milk to conceal or otherwise obfuscate the discovery of evidence.
Rogness has not answered to the plea, and no hearings have been scheduled beyond his initial appearance.
Content courtesy of SiouxFallsLive.com.
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