Two Charged in 1998 Homicide

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department’s Cold Case Unit is announcing James Christopher Johnson, 59, of Alexandria, Va, and Bobby Joe Leonard, 53, have been charged in relation to the 1998 homicide of Andrea Cincotta in the Colonial Village neighborhood. Mr. Johnson is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Center and Mr. Leonard is being held on unrelated charges at Wallens Ridge State Prison.

On August 21, 1998, 52-year-old Andrea Cincotta was found dead inside the bedroom of the apartment she shared with Mr. Johnson in the 1700 block of N. Rhodes Street. There was no forced entry to the home and no obvious signs of a struggle. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide.

In 2013, the Cold Case Unit initiated a fresh look into the unsolved homicide including the review of cold case files, crime scene evidence, laboratory results, and additional witness interviews. Recently, in collaboration with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, indictments were presented to and returned by a grand jury.  

“The passage of time does not diminish the need for answers and accountability in this senseless crime that took Andrea’s life,” said Chief of Police Andy Penn. “The indictments are the culmination of years of dedicated investigative work in our ongoing pursuit of justice on behalf of Andrea and her family.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti stated, “I’m proud of the work we have done in obtaining indictments in a case for which Andrea’s family has been seeking accountability since 1998.  Rule 3.6 of the Professional Rules of Responsibility prevent me from commenting on the details of the case, but our team will continue to work diligently and to seek the truth.”

This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this homicide is asked to contact Detective R. Ortiz at 703-228-7402 or Rortiz@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

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James Christopher Johnson

Bobby Joe Leonard

 

Media Contact

Public Information Officer
Ashley Savage
703-228-4331

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