A suspect in a 1988 California murder case was arrested this past week in Gainesville.
A social media post by the Santa Maria, California Police Department Friday said Aloysius Winthrop James, age 57, was arrested at his residence in Gainesville Tuesday. James is being charged with murder in the September 18, 1988 death of then-30-year-old Ofelia Sandoval, who was found dead in a hotel in Santa Maria.
"In 1988, the SMPD Detective Bureau responded to this incident and took over the investigation. This investigation eventually grew cold but remained open," Friday's social media post said. "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 for 57-year-old Gainesville, GA resident Aloysius Winthrop James."
Authorities have not released how long James is believed to have lived in Gainesville or Northeast Georgia. He is being held in the Hall County Jail without bond awaiting extradition back to California as of Saturday morning.
Santa Maria police officials say they believe James may be involved with other sexual abuse, domestic violence, or other crime cases. Anyone with information on such cases is asked to contact Santa Maria detectives by calling 805-928-3781, extension 1610 or by sending an email to [email protected].
The Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation all reportedly aided in James' arrest.
