Murder suspect arrested 35 years after Central Coast killing
A Georgia man has been arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred more than 35 years ago in Santa Maria.
Police Lt. Daniel Rios of the Santa Maria Police Department’s Detective Bureau announced the cold-case arrest on Friday.
The arrest stems from the killing of Ofelia Sandoval, 30, at the Town Center Hotel on the 200 block of North Broadway on Sept. 18, 1988. The hotel was demolished after being severely damaged in a 2013 fire.
After the killing, detectives investigated circumstances surrounding the death, and over time, the case grew cold yet remained open, Rios added.
“Over the last several years, detectives have continued to diligently work on this case that subsequently led to an arrest warrant for murder being issued,” Rios said.
Aloysius Winthrop James, 57, was was taken into custody on Tuesday at his home in Gainesville, Georgia.
At the time of Sandoval’s death, James lived in Santa Maria, Rios said.
On Tuesday, Santa Maria detectives with assistance from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, the Gainesville Police Department, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, and the FBI, conducted a warrant service operation at James’ residence.
“Detectives believe there may be other unreported crimes and additional victims related to James involving threats, sexual assault, domestic abuse and other crimes,” Rios said.
“The Santa Maria Police Department understands there may be victims who are hesitant to come forward about reporting as the subject matter could be sensitive. Consequently, advocates will be available to assist throughout the process for those that may come forward.”
James was booked into the Hall County Jail in Georgia on suspicion of murder and was being held without bail.
Santa Maria detectives will be working on the extradition process with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in order to bring James back to the Central Coast.
Anyone with information about James’ involvement in this case or other violent or sexual crimes can contact Santa Maria Police Department Detective Nate Craven at 805-928-3781, ext. 1610 or ncraven@cityofsantamaria.org.
This story was originally published April 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Murder suspect arrested 35 years after Central Coast killing."
