A fugitive doctor convicted of rape has been apprehended in New York City after evading law enforcement for more than two decades. Ronald L. Fischer, 70, a former anesthesiologist, was living in Los Angeles under the alias Richard Graydon and reportedly operated a biotech company.
Fischer's new life ended last week when authorities located him aboard a 56-foot sailboat named The Silver Lining on the East River. He was arrested without incident as he sailed toward Long Island Sound. The vessel was registered under the alias Fischer had been using.
The arrest concluded a hunt that began in 2005 when Fischer fled Rhode Island during his trial for raping a woman aboard his yacht, the Lion King, while it was docked in Portsmouth. He disappeared shortly before closing arguments and was convicted in absentia of first-degree sexual assault.
In an email to his attorney before fleeing, Fischer cited the potential for harsh penalties as his reason for leaving the U.S. to "enjoy life in another country where I have long been carefully planning a good, safe, secure and comfortable life." Authorities believe he traveled internationally for a period and also moved across the U.S. using various aliases, including Ronald Stevenson, Robert Anderson, and Wahler Fritz.
Despite being a fugitive, Fischer established a presence in Los Angeles, running a biotech firm on Olympic Boulevard under the name Richard Graydon. The company reportedly informed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of his dismissal for reasons unrelated to his work.
The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and Rhode Island law enforcement collaborated for approximately 48 hours to track Fischer's whereabouts, leading to his capture. Officials intercepted The Silver Lining on Thursday.
"This arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability," Wing Chau, the U.S. marshal for the District of Rhode Island, stated. "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."
Investigators reportedly found multiple books on evading law enforcement at Fischer's residence and evidence of him inquiring about police interest in him among neighbors. During his time on the run, Fischer was listed on Rhode Island's most wanted list and was featured on "America's Most Wanted."
Fischer, who presented himself professionally in the medical and biotech fields under his aliases, appeared Friday before a judge in Manhattan. He agreed to waive extradition and is expected to be transferred to Rhode Island by July 31. He faces sentencing for his sexual assault conviction and arraignment on a bail-jumping charge. Federal charges for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution are also anticipated.
"You can run, but you cannot hide from justice," said Charles Calenda, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. "Ronald Fischer will now return to Rhode Island to face the consequences he sought to evade for more than 20 years."