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.
