Ronald Fischer, a Rhode Island man who fled during a 2005 sexual assault trial, was arrested on a sailboat off New Jersey’s coast after more than two decades on the run, authorities confirmed.
The Arrest and the Sailboat Clue
Fischer’s arrest came after federal and Rhode Island investigators received new information about his location, leading to his capture on a sailboat approximately an hour offshore from New Jersey. The vessel, named the Silver Lining, was registered under the alias Richard Graydon, officials said. A statement from the U.S. Marshals Service emphasized that time does not erase accountability,
citing the 20-year pursuit of the fugitive.
Fischer’s 2005 trial in Newport County Superior Court ended in his absence after he sent an email to his attorney declaring, 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.
A check for $5,000 to cover legal fees was also mentioned, with Fischer advising his attorney to eat less chocolate and watch your diet.
A Life of Deception and Criminal History
Fischer’s criminal record stretches back to 1994, when he was arrested for rape after assaulting a nursing student aboard his yacht, The Dreammaker, in Quincy. The charge was later dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to assault and battery, resulting in a suspended two-year sentence. Despite his medical credentials—Fischer was a Cornell University graduate and served as chairman of anesthesiology at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket—his career collapsed after his licenses were revoked in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The 2003 incident that led to his 2005 trial involved Cheryl Gingerich, a mother of four, whom Fischer allegedly assaulted on his boat, The Lion King, in Portsmouth. Fischer was convicted in absentia for first-degree sexual assault and flight to avoid prosecution, with the Rhode Island “Most Wanted” list later including him as a fugitive. The Guardian noted that Fischer had at least 17 aliases, including Richard Graydon, and was described as a “world traveler” with international connections.
Victim’s Relief and Family’s Reaction
Her son, Jan Hilfer, said the family hopes Fischer will not have another chance to flee. We look forward to welcoming him back to Rhode Island in the courtroom, and we hope that they view his 20 years of flight as enough time free,
Hilfer said. The victim’s case was also highlighted on the true-crime show *America’s Most Wanted*, which The Guardian noted had repeatedly mentioned Fischer over the years.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
Fischer faces federal and state charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and failure to appear in court, in addition to his 2005 conviction for sexual assault. The Guardian reported that he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with parole eligibility after 25 years. U.S. Marshal Wing Chau praised the outstanding investigative work
that led to his capture, noting that Fischer’s arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability.
Authorities said the arrest followed a coordinated operation between a team of federal and Rhode Island investigators. Fischer’s arrest marks a significant milestone in a case that spanned over two decades.
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