A Rhode Island fugitive who was featured on "America's Most Wanted" and spent 20 years on the run was arrested by US Marshals off the coast of New York.
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Federal agents located Ronald L. Fischer aboard his 56-foot-long vessel "The Silver Lining" on Thursday, ending a two-decade manhunt for the sex offender. The boat was registered under the name Richard Graydon, an alias used by Fischer, the Marshals Service said.
Fischer was wanted for allegedly raping a woman in 2003 on his boat, named "Lion King," investigators said.
He was taken into custody by the Coast Guard and was being held in Manhattan after being transferred to U.S. Marshals, law enforcement said.
"This arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability," said Wing Chau, U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island. "For more than 20 years, Ronald Fischer believed he had successfully escaped justice. Thanks to outstanding investigative work, exceptional intelligence analysis, and seamless coordination between agencies, Fischer is finally in custody."
Ronald Fischer Has Been on the Run Since 2005
Not only did Fischer commit to living a life on the run. He informed officials of his decision to evade jail time in 2005.
"Although I believe my trial has gone very well, and expect to be acquitted and dismissed, the small chance of losing could carry extremely and unacceptably harsh penalties," Fischer wrote in the email at the time, WPRI reported.
"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."
During his time on the run, the former anesthesiologist was featured on "America's Most Wanted" multiple times.
He was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear, first-degree sexual assault, and flight to avoid prosecution.
Despite his attempt to evade jail time using several aliases, investigators remained diligent in their pursuit.
"You can run, but you cannot hide from justice," First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Charles Calenda said, according to the outlet. "Ronald Fischer will now return to Rhode Island to face the consequences he sought to evade for more than 20 years.
