PROVIDENCE, RI - A fugitive who fled Rhode Island during his criminal trial for first-degree sexual assault in 2005 was arrested off the coast of New Jersey last week, CBS News reports.
Ronald L. Fischer, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on his yacht in 2003, was convicted in absentia on the sexual assault charge, as well as failure to appear and flight to avoid prosecution.
Fischer, who was on the Rhode Island Most Wanted list for more than 20 years, is a former anesthesiologist who was also featured several times on “America’s Most Wanted.” He was described as a “well-connected” man, a “master yachtsman,” and a “world traveler.”
CBS News said the operation to arrest Fischer came together quickly, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Over a 48-hour period, the Rhode Island Fugitive Task Force, the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S. Marshals acted on “newly developed investigative leads” that led them to New York. CBS affiliate WPRI reported that the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force received a credible lead on Fischer’s location.
Working with New York law enforcement authorities, the U.S. Marshals said they were able to find Fischer aboard a 56-foot boat named “The Silver Lining,” which was registered under an alias: Richard Graydon. The boat was intercepted about an hour off the coast of New Jersey, officials said.
Fischer was located aboard the boat and was arrested without incident. He was transported to New York, where he remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement. He will be extradited to Rhode Island to face charges there.
Wing Chau, U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island, said that the arrest “demonstrates that time does not erase accountability.”
“Thanks to outstanding investigative work, exceptional intelligence analysis, and seamless coordination between agencies, Fischer is finally in custody,” Chau said. “We hope today’s arrest brings a measure of justice and long-awaited closure to the victim and everyone impacted by these crimes.”
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