{"id":9952,"date":"2026-07-18T22:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T17:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=9952"},"modified":"2026-07-18T22:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T17:12:10","slug":"rhode-island-fugitive-captured-after-more-than-20-years-on-the-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=9952","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island fugitive captured after more than 20 years on the run"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p id=\"anchor-c866d7\" class=\"body-graf\">One of Rhode Island\u2019s \u201clongest-wanted\u201d fugitives was finally arrested this week after 21 years on the run, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"styles_subscriptionCTA__LOUeY\" id=\"subscriptionCTA\" type=\"button\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" alt=\"NBC News Icon\" class=\"styles_icon__wRwWv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"styles_textWrapper__vxvko\">\n<p class=\"styles_text__daaVB styles_textLarge__qlzwu\">Subscribe to read this story ad-free<\/p>\n<p class=\"styles_text__daaVB\">Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/rockcms\/2026-01\/arrow-f55fa5.svg\" alt=\"arrow\" class=\"styles_arrow__tnruW\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/button><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-5799f7\" class=\"body-graf\">Former Rhode Island doctor Ronald Fischer disappeared during his 2005 trial on a first-degree sexual assault charge, according to the Marshals Service. Fischer was accused of raping a woman aboard his boat, the \u201cLion King,\u201d in 2003, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnewyork.com\/news\/local\/crime-and-courts\/rhode-island-most-wanted-fugitive-caught-coast-ny-nj\/6526394\/\" target=\"_blank\">NBC New York<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-f9cfdd\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cHe 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,\u201d the Marshals Service said in a press release Thursday.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-3989f1\" class=\"body-graf\">Earlier this week, investigators received information about Fischer\u2019s whereabouts that they determined was credible, prompting members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force to deploy to New York.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_small__gIJ9M styles_portrait__NEQhG\" id=\"anchor-503eeb\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"2500\" data-original-width=\"1999\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1240px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-360w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-360w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-320w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-320w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 758px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1146-df0b2d.jpg\" alt=\"Ronald L. Fischer.\" height=\"2500\" width=\"1999\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">Ronald L. Fischer.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-9ca146\" class=\"body-graf\">Investigators determined Fischer was operating a 56-foot sailboat named \u201cThe Silver Lining,\u201d which was registered under the name Richard Graydon, an alias authorities said Fischer used. U.S. Marshals and Coast Guard personnel intercepted the vessel about an hour offshore and arrested him without incident.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-6038b8\" class=\"body-graf\">According to the Manhattan District Attorney\u2019s Office, fingerprints taken from Fischer by the Marshals Service and analyzed by the FBI confirmed that he was the same man on trial for rape charges in Rhode Island 21 years ago.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-babb05\" class=\"body-graf\">Books on how to evade law enforcement were found at Fischer\u2019s residence during a search warrant, and it was determined that he was using what\u2019s known as an \u201conion router\u201d to hide his IP addresses and avoid being tracked, the district attorney\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-d6aee7\" class=\"body-graf\">Investigators also found emails between Fischer and family members who have been helping him evade law enforcement, according to the district attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-1dc736\" class=\"body-graf\">Fischer\u2019s capture was a coordinated effort by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Marshals Service New York\/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Coast Guard. The FBI also assisted in the investigation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-d41cb1\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cThis arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability,\u201d said Wing Chau, the U.S. marshal for the District of Rhode Island. \u201cFor more than twenty 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-e95e8e\" class=\"body-graf\">The victim, Cheryl Gingerich, told <a href=\"https:\/\/turnto10.com\/news\/local\/assault-survivor-rhode-island-most-wanted-fugitive-capture-ronald-fischer-rape-conviction-disappearance-trial-newport-new-york-new-jersey-july-17-2026\" target=\"_blank\">NBC 10<\/a> in an exclusive interview that news of Fischer\u2019s arrest made her happy.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-8d9ca8\" class=\"body-graf\">The trauma of the incident affected nearly every aspect of her life, she said, leaving her afraid to leave her home and forcing her to abandon her career as an English professor.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-e07014\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cI always lived in fear of seeing him again because I never felt that he was far away,\u201d she told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-10a749\" class=\"body-graf\">Fischer was arraigned in Manhattan on Friday, according to the Manhattan District Attorney\u2019s Office, which confirmed that he was \u201cremanded and waived extradition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-25709b\" class=\"endmark body-graf\">It is not clear whether Fischer has an attorney at this time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of Rhode Island\u2019s \u201clongest-wanted\u201d fugitives was finally arrested this week after 21 years on the run, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Former Rhode Island doctor Ronald Fischer disappeared during his 2005 trial on a first-degree sexual assault charge,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9953,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260718-Ronald-Fischer-ch-1147-e1efef.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9952"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9952\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}