U.S. Attorney Leif Olson announced today that two South Dakota men, Mark Milk and Jon Rogness, have been indicted on criminal charges connected to the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, who was found deceased in Brookings, South Dakota, on March 19, 2026.
Mark Milk, 51, of Sioux Falls, faces five counts, including possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and conspiracy to conceal objects with the intent to impair their availability for official proceedings.
Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings, was charged with two counts: conspiracy to conceal objects with the intent to impair their availability for an official proceeding, and accessory after the fact. Both men were indicted on June 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa and will have an initial appearance in Sioux City at a later date.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The extensive investigation involves numerous agencies, including the Sioux Falls Police Department, Brookings Police Department, and the FBI.