A former Sioux Falls insurance agent who pleaded guilty in state court to defrauding clients of more than $300,000 is challenging his conviction and sentence in federal court.

Ryan Wingler argues that his lawyers were ineffective and that prosecutors failed to follow the sentencing recommendations contained in a plea agreement. Wingler was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with three years suspended. The state has yet to respond to the habeas corpus action, a legal proceeding that argues constitutional violations led to a person's illegal incarceration.

Wingler, who is now acting as his own attorney, was accused of selling annuity premiums and keeping the money.