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NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. A man who got away rape and killing for nearly 40 years will now spend his life behind bars. Investigators used a covert, FBI-collected DNA sample to identify him. A Santa Barbara County Judge sentenced Aloysius James, 59 to life in prison without parole, the maximum penalty allowed by law. A jury had already found him guilty of first-degree rape murder in February for the killing of Ofelia Sandoval. Sandoval was murdered on September 18, 1988 in Santa Maria. The case was closed after a year, despite what the authorities at the time described as a thorough investigation. “For nearly 40 years, the 1988 murder case of Ofelia Sandoval was unsolved.” The FBI announced that justice was finally served this past week. It took years for DNA technology to advance. Investigators created a DNA profile in the early 2000s from evidence collected in Sandoval’s room. However, it did not match anyone in the national databases. According to Cal Coast News evidence collected in 1988 included a towel and shirt found near Sandoval’s body. When the evidence was tested many years later, the DNA did not match anyone on law enforcement databases. That’s when the FBI and Santa Maria police partnered to obtain a secret DNA sample from James. Investigators reopened the case and obtained DNA from James, including a glove he discarded. This DNA matched the profile created from the original evidence. A jury found him guilty. According to Cal Coast News, James denied any contact with Sandoval during the investigation and after his arrest. His attorney argued that the DNA evidence was not enough to prove his guilt. Now, investigators believe that there could be other victims. The FBI stated that “investigators believe that there may be other victims connected to James, including threats, sexual abuse, domestic violence, or other crimes.” They urged anyone with information to contact Santa Maria Police Department. Find out more on the TRUE CRIME HUB According to prosecutors, Sandoval’s entire family has supported the case for many years. Her children spoke in court about the impact of her death. The DA’s Office said that Ofelia’s children, Marcelino Maricela, and Alex, are truly remarkable for their bravery, dedication and resilience.

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NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. Emory Randolph. Of those 26 arrests, 19 were by Tybee Island Police and seven by the Georgia State Patrol. Orange Crush 2024 saw 54 arrests and 26 in 2023. No other details on the arrests were immediately available. The Orange Crush Festival returned to Tybee Island this weekend. Organizers promoted it as “THE LARGEST HBCU Beach BASH IS BACK”, and said that more than 50,000 people would be attending. “It is pretty similar to last year.” We might have more people, but the safety protocol we implemented three years ago seems to be working. It’s been the same for the last three years,” West told Fox News Digital. West said that authorities enlisted the help of agencies from across the state and region, including the Georgia State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources’ Motor Carrier Division. They also included the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. “We had a bad situation in 2023. What happened was that we had many people who weren’t students come to this event. West said that the older people were bringing drugs, guns and trying to take advantage. “And thanks to the security we’ve put in place, it has allowed us to filter out those people.” Now we have college students who are here. It’s more like a spring break group than a destructive group. “He said that city leaders found that the event runs better when students organize entertainment. “It works much better when students organize an activity and we work together. In the past, students had to find their own entertainment when they simply showed up. West said that sometimes the fun was not the best. “So, when you have an activity, a band or something to keep them interested, it works better. “WATCH: Orange Crush CEO says event is rebranded with collaboration with city, policeOrange Crush reloaded CEO Steven Smalls told Fox News Digital that the event was intended to give college-age students a safe place to celebrate. “It is more important for the college students to come out and enjoy themselves and focus on their graduation in May. It’s a college thing, and I hope in the future that I can give back some student debt relief to help one of SSU’s (Savannah State University’s) students. Smalls said. “Give one of these kids a college scholarship if I’m good out here. You know, just give back to the college community.” Smalls said.Smalls added that the rebranded event, and the cooperation with city officials, helped create a more positive environment for attendees.WATCH : ILLEGAL STREET RACING TAKEOVER EXPLODES AS THOUSANDS SWARM STREETS, AND I think it’s the best thing to have happened. I love the way that the relationship is built. I understand what’s going on and they understand what’s going on. Smalls added that, through their collaboration, the result was what you see now. He also claimed that the organized festival helped channel the crowds. “If I didn’t do this, they would just pop out here.” There would be no music, no entertainment. There would be nothing for them to enjoy, they’d just feel pushed away. The police presence, that helps you be safe,” Smalls said. Orange Crush is known for bringing massive crowds to the small Georgia beach town. Residents and law enforcement have long been concerned about past violence, arrests and trash left behind in its wake. Smalls said that the police presence helps to keep you safe. Orange Crush, a festival that draws huge crowds, has been a source of controversy for residents and law enforcers alike because of the violence, arrests, and trash that it leaves behind. Residents and visitors began to see an increased presence of law enforcement agencies on the island beginning Thursday, before the festival weekend. Authorities also launched a Road Safety Checkpoint on Highway 80 and carved out emergency lane on main roads in an attempt to maintain order.

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NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. A planned fight between several young people escalated into a shooting Monday near a North Carolina Middle School, leaving two dead and several others injured. Shots were fired just after 9:50 am during a planned fight between 2 juveniles at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, Winston-Salem. POLICE: STUDENT CHARGED AND WEAPON RETRIEVED AFTER THREE TEENS TARGETED FOR INCIDENT LINKED WITH HIGH SCHOOL TRADITIONS”When the individuals met in the park, the incident escalated significantly and multiple people exchanged gunfire,” wrote the Winston-Salem Police Department on X. Police said that two people were killed and unspecified numbers of people were injured. Authorities said they had located several people, including victims and suspects. The number of people involved means that efforts are being made to track down everyone. Police said that some of the people involved in the incident were juveniles at this time. The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation said that the shooting took place in a nearby park, not at the school.

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NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. A Washington man pleaded guilty to two decades-old cold case crimes after investigators linked him to the crimes using a clever trick and a piece gum. Mitchell Gaff, 68 entered his pleas in Snohomish County Superior Court on Thursday, where he admitted the rapes, murders, and muggings of Judith “Judy” Weaver and Susan Vesey. Gaff, a self-described rapist and “sexual sadist”, was linked to the killings when investigators matched DNA samples found on a piece Gaff’s gum to both crime scene, according to USA Today. Report: DNA finally solves a decades-old teen murder case. The pieces of gum were sent to the federal database CODIS where investigators linked Gaff with both murders. Everett, according to police, was first arrested in May 2024 for charges relating to Weaver’s murder. Authorities say that on June 2, 1984 first responders were called by the fire department to investigate a fire at Weaver’s home on Rucker Ave. Her body was found inside. ‘TIMES QUARE KILLER” USED FAKE COPY TO MURDER A 18-YEAR OLD NURSING STUDENT : DEATHBED ACCUSATIONOnce he was in custody, the authorities connected him to Vesey’s murder. Her husband discovered her murdered in her home on July 12, 1980 – just a day after her 21st Birthday. Gaff’s admission follows a lifetime of terrorizing the Washington community. He was arrested multiple times and eventually forced to register as a sexual offender. Gaff then launched a brutal assault on Brown, slamming the weapon into her head and beating her with it. Brown reportedly waited for Gaff to put down his gun before trying to escape. “I stood up and I was trapped. He said, ‘You are going to die now you [expletive]’. “Brown managed to escape, and Gaff was later convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary in the case, according to the outlet. The girl who managed to escape ran for help and Gaff fled the scene. According to USA Today, he pleaded guilty to two charges of rape as well as burglary. Find out more on the TRUE CRIME HUB. Gaff confessed that he had raped at least eight women and girls during the 1980s. Everett mayor Cassie Franklin stated in a previous press release that she was “proud” of the Everett Police Department’s ability to solve this murder case using DNA analysis techniques. “We honor Susan as we bring this criminal to justice. “Gaff will be sentenced May 13. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPThe Everett Police Department has not responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Jesse Watson, a Fox News Digital reporter, contributed to this story.

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NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. Authorities said none suffered serious injuries.Investigators quickly identified a local high school student as the suspect and recovered an Orbeez-style gel projectile gun believed to have been used in the incident.The teen was taken into custody and now faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, police said. The identity of the teen was not released. The Lawrence Police Department stated that while these activities might seem harmless, they could lead to dangerous situations and serious legal consequences. Police in Connecticut warned local communities this week that they should use brightly colored water guns that would not be mistaken for real weapons.