Santa Maria, CA – Thirty-six years after the murder of Ofelia Sandoval in Santa Maria, California, authorities have made a significant breakthrough.
According to Santa Maria Police reports, Aloysius Winthrop James, 57, originally from Santa Maria but now residing in Gainesville, Georgia, was arrested on Tuesday on alleged charges connecting him to the 1988 murder that occurred at the Town Center Motel. After years of investigative efforts, an arrest warrant was issued, leading to his apprehension by a collaborative law enforcement team, including local police, district attorneys’ offices, and an FBI Task Force.
James was detained at his residence in Gainesville and booked into Hall County Jail without bail. Authorities are currently working on his extradition to Santa Barbara County. The Santa Maria Police Department urges anyone with further information on this case or other potential crimes linked to James to come forward, providing support through victim advocates for sensitive matters.
