PIERRE - A Cherry Creek man made his first court appearance Friday in federal court in Pierre on charges he started a fire that killed his two young siblings.

Akeem Rooks pleaded not guilty to arson that endangered human life.

The fire last week at Cherry Creek on Cheyenne River Indian Reservation killed 4-year-old Keya Rooks and her 2-year-old brother known both as Marvin Evenson and Marvin Rooks.