James VanCallis has been charged in the killing of April Millsap. Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith announced the charges in a press conference in Michigan. 14-Year-Old April Millsap’s body was found in a ditch in July 2014 along the Macomb Orchard Trail, Michigan. In August 2014, VanCallis had been named as a person of interest in the case, but was held on an unrelated charge.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. He Was Arrested Along With His Dad
VanCallis was officially arrested on drug charges in July along with his father, also named James. He has been in custody since then, it was only on August 19 that officials named him as being related to the April Millsap case. Both men were arrested at home at 8744 Marquette Road, in Goodells, Michigan, shown here above. WXYZ reports that VanCallis Jr. was facing one charge of delivering weed and another of maintaining a drug house. Police found 52 marijuana plants in his house. He has medical marijuana license but that limits him to 36 plants.
Millsap murder:James VanCallis Sr. on drug charges: "I love my dogs, I wanna go home, I didn't do nothing." pic.twitter.com/0CPb1Iva8c
— Julie Banovic (@JulieBanovic) August 1, 2014
James VanCallis Senior had earlier proclaimed his innocence in the case.
2. He Lives About 40 Miles From Millsap’s Hometown
According to his Facebook page, VanCallis is a native of Royal Oak, Michigan but lives in Detroit.
3. April Millsap Died of Blunt Head Trauma & Asphyxia
April Millsap’s autopsy determined the cause of her death back in July 2014. The charges against VanCallis in relation to Millsap are first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder. If found guilty, each charge carries a possible life-sentence. On the night that she died, Millsap had texted her boyfriend to say, “I think I’m being kidnapped.”
4. He Has Previous Minor Arrests
Breaking: Police name 32-yo James VanCallis an official person of interest in murder of 14-yo April Millsap @FOX2News pic.twitter.com/w4wJs0EOMQ
— Erika Erickson (@FOX2Erika) August 19, 2014
VanCallis Junior has a long criminal record which includes arrests for disorderly conduct, larceny and probation violations in 2012. Back in 2005, VanCallis was convicted on a breaking and entering charge, according to WXYZ.
5. His Facebook Indicates He Is a Family Man
Prominent on VanCallis’ Facebook page are photos of a young boy who appears to be his son. In court on August 19, VanCallis said that he need to be released from jail so that he could get back to his two kids, one of whom is 3 1/2 and another is 7-months.