A fugitive physician convicted of raping a lady aboard his yacht managed to construct a brand new life in California beneath a false id whereas evading authorities for greater than twenty years.
Ronald L. Fischer, 70, a former anesthesiologist, had been residing in Los Angeles beneath the alias Richard Graydon, the place legislation enforcement sources stated he ran a biotech firm on Olympic Boulevard.
His faux life got here crashing down final week when authorities tracked him to a 56-foot sailboat—The Silver Lining—and arrested him as he sailed on New York Metropolis’s East River towards Lengthy Island Sound.
The vessel itself was registered beneath the identical Richard Graydon alias Fischer had been utilizing in Los Angeles, based on the US Marshals Service.
His arrest ended a greater than 20-year hunt that started when Fischer fled Rhode Island throughout his 2005 trial for raping a lady aboard one other of his boats.
Fischer had been accused of sexually assaulting the lady throughout a date in 2003 aboard his yacht—the Lion King—whereas it was docked in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
He fled shortly earlier than closing arguments two years later, however the trial continued with out him. Fischer was convicted in absentia of first-degree sexual assault.
Earlier than disappearing, Fischer despatched his lawyer a goodbye e-mail explaining his determination to run.
“Though I consider my trial has gone very effectively and anticipate to be acquitted and dismissed, the small likelihood of shedding may carry extraordinarily and unacceptably harsh penalties,” Fischer wrote.
“I’ve due to this fact determined to not take the danger and go away the U.S. and luxuriate in life overseas the place I’ve lengthy been rigorously planning a great, protected, safe and cozy life.”
Precisely the place Fischer went instantly after fleeing remained unclear.
Authorities stated he left the US for a time but additionally traveled throughout the nation throughout his years as a fugitive, utilizing a number of identities.
These aliases included Richard Graydon, Ronald Stevenson, Robert Anderson and Wahler Fritz, based on authorities.
Regardless of spending years wished by legislation enforcement, Fischer finally established himself in Los Angeles beneath the Graydon id.
Legislation enforcement sources advised NBC he operated a biotech firm on Olympic Boulevard beneath that title.
The corporate reported to the US Securities and Trade Fee that he was dismissed Friday for causes unrelated to his work.
Authorities closed in after the US Marshals Service, FBI, and Rhode Island legislation enforcement spent about 48 hours pursuing new leads on Fischer’s whereabouts.
Officers intercepted The Silver Lining round 11:20 a.m. Thursday as Fischer sailed alongside the East River towards Lengthy Island Sound.
He was taken into custody with out incident.
“This arrest demonstrates that point doesn’t erase accountability,” Wing Chau, the US marshal for the District of Rhode Island, stated in an announcement.
“For greater than 20 years, Ronald Fischer believed he had efficiently escaped justice. The women and men of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Activity Drive, along with our companions, remained dedicated to making sure that day would finally come.”
The extraordinary lengths Fischer took to stay in hiding had been revealed after his seize.
Prosecutors stated authorities searched his residence and found a number of books about “how one can evade legislation enforcement.”
Investigators discovered that Fischer had emailed neighbors asking if police had been in search of him, prosecutors stated in court docket.
Throughout his years on the run, Fischer was positioned on Rhode Island’s most wished listing and described as a “grasp yachtsman, a world traveler and internationally linked.”
His disappearance attracted nationwide consideration and was featured a number of occasions on “America’s Most Wished.”
Fischer reportedly continued presenting himself professionally within the medical and biotech world whereas residing beneath aliases, together with as chief medical officer of a biopharmaceutical firm offering on-line medical consulting.
Fischer appeared Friday earlier than Choose Jeffrey Gershuny in Manhattan Legal Courtroom, handcuffed and wearing a light-blue polo shirt and grey khaki pants.
He agreed to waive his proper to a proper extradition listening to—clearing the best way for his switch again to Rhode Island by July 31.
He’ll stay in custody in New York till then.
As soon as Fischer is returned to Rhode Island, the state lawyer basic’s workplace plans to hunt a sentencing listening to on his first-degree sexual assault conviction in addition to an arraignment on a bail-jumping cost.
Fischer is anticipated to face federal expenses for illegal flight to keep away from prosecution.
“You possibly can run, however you can not cover from justice,” First Assistant US Legal professional for the District of Rhode Island Charles Calenda stated following Fischer’s seize.
“Ronald Fischer will now return to Rhode Island to face the implications he sought to evade for greater than 20 years.”
