Ronald L. Fischer, the subject of an America’s Most Wanted episode, has finally been captured after 20 years on the run from authorities.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Fischer was apprehended after a coordinated multi-state operation led by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force (RI VFTF) and the FBI. The investigation that led to Fischer’s arrest was conducted by RI VFTF with the help of various other law enforcement collaborators.
Members of the RI VFTF, FBI Special Agents, FBI intelligence analysts, and Rhode Island State Police pursued investigative leads surrounding Fischer’s whereabouts, leading them to New York, where Fischer was ultimately located while sailing his 56-foot boat, The Silver Lining, which was registered under one of his aliases, Richard Graydon.
The Deputy U.S. Marshals and U.S. Coast Guard personnel located and intercepted Fischer’s boat with their 45-foot U.S. Coast Guard Response Boat, taking the wanted man into custody without incident. Fischer was arrested on a United States Marshals Service Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant.
Fischer had been a fugitive since fleeing Rhode Island during his criminal trial in 2005 and was subsequently convicted in absentia of First-Degree Sexual Assault after failing to appear for trial and remained wanted for Failure to Appear, First-Degree Sexual Assault, and Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Fischer had been on trial in Newport in 2005 for allegedly raping a woman on his yacht, Lion King, two years prior.
A former anesthesiologist, Fischer had been described as a “master yachtsman” and a “world traveler” who was “internationally connected.” Along with Richard Graydon, Fischer had dozens of aliases. At the time of his initial escape, Fischer sent an email to his attorneys, per WPRI, which read, “Although I believe my trial has gone very well, and expect to be acquitted and dismissed, the small chance of losing could carry extremely and unacceptably harsh penalties. I have therefore decided not to take the risk and to leave the US and enjoy life in another country where I have long been carefully planning a good, safe, secure, and comfortable life.”
Following Fischer’s arrest, he was transported to the Coast Guard station in Staten Island, New York, where custody was transferred to the Deputy U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement.
“This arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability,” said Wing Chau, U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island. “For more than 20 years, Ronald Fischer believed he had successfully escaped justice. The men and women of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, together with our partners, remained committed to ensuring that day would eventually come. Thanks to outstanding investigative work, exceptional intelligence analysis, and seamless coordination between agencies, Fischer is finally in custody. We hope today’s arrest brings a measure of justice and long-awaited closure to the victim and everyone impacted by these crimes.”