Wales Twp. man accused in Armada slaying gets year on pot charge

A 32-year-old Wales Township man charged in the slaying of an Armada teen said nothing good has come from his use of marijuana.

"I've used this time to understand that marijuana has been a problem that's been ongoing as far as it's hindered me more than helped me," James Donald VanCallis said during his sentencing in St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael West's courtroom Monday.

VanCallis was sentenced to a year in jail for manufacturing marijuana, with credit for 118 days served. Thirty days of that sentence will be suspended upon successful completion of a drug program at the St. Clair County jail.

During the sentencing, West said VanCallis had a history in the court system.

"Hopefully, that hasn't led to something more serious for you," West said.

VanCallis and his father were arrested in late July after investigators found a marijuana-growing operation at the VanCallises' Marquette Road home.

Investigators discovered the marijuana plants while executing a search warrant in the April Millsap murder investigation. April, 14, was found dead on the Macomb Orchard Trail in Armada July 24. According to her death certificate, April died of asphyxia due to neck compression and blunt force head trauma.

A few weeks after the VanCallises' arrest in Wales Township, investigators identified the younger VanCallis as a person of interest in the Armada murder

The younger VanCallis was charged Oct. 9 with first-degree murder, felony murder and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

Armada Police Chief Howard Smith has said VanCallis approached April on the trail, and was rebuffed. When April began walking away, VanCallis ambushed her, using his helmet as a weapon. Smith said VanCallis dragged her into the woods beside the trail and stomped on her.

He said VanCallis attempted to sexually assault April, but was stopped by a passer-by.

VanCallis' lawyer, Dean Ankouny, withdrew as his defense counsel in the Macomb County case Nov. 13. Azhar Sheikh was appointed to replace Ankouny.

Ankouny said James Donald VanCallis, his father, James Bernard VanCallis, and his mother, Brenda Pupi, held medical marijuana cards and were authorized to grow 36 plants, or 12 plants each.

He said the VanCallises' had 52 plants at their Wales Township home. He said they grew the additional plants because they were unsuccessful with the initial 36 plants.

Ankouny said the family now is focusing on the Macomb County case.

"They're looking forward to him one day having his trial in Macomb," Ankouny said, after the sentencing.

James VanCallis Sr. was sentenced to 18 months probation Monday, also for manufacturing marijuana. VanCallis Sr. apologized to the court before his sentencing.

"I have no intention to use marijuana any more, and I'm done with this," VanCallis Sr. said. "It's cost too much."

The younger VanCallis is scheduled to appear Dec. 15 and 16 in Macomb County District Court in Romeo for his preliminary examination on the murder charges.

Contact Beth LeBlanc at (810) 989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.