Rhode Island fugitive wanted for over 20 years granted bond after capture

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A man who spent more than two decades evading justice was granted bond Monday after being placed in custody following a coordinated multi-state law enforcement operation led by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force and the FBI.

According to Rhode Island State Police, after more than 20 years as a fugitive, Ronald L. Fischer, one of Rhode Island’s Most Wanted fugitives, was apprehended following an intensive investigation conducted by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of numerous law enforcement partners.

Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers assigned to the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, working alongside FBI Special Agents, FBI intelligence analysts and Rhode Island State Police, pursued newly developed investigative leads regarding Fischer’s whereabouts. Information received by the Task Force was rapidly analyzed, corroborated, and determined to be credible and actionable, ultimately leading investigators to New York.

Once the intelligence was confirmed, members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force immediately deployed to New York and coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of New York, and the United States Coast Guard to locate and apprehend Fischer.

Investigators determined Fischer was operating a 56-foot sailing vessel, The Silver Lining, which was registered under the name Richard Graydon, an alias used by Fischer. Working from a U.S. Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat, Deputy U.S. Marshals and U.S. Coast Guard personnel located and intercepted the vessel approximately one hour offshore. Fischer was taken into custody without incident.

Fischer was arrested on a United States Marshals Service Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant. Fischer had been a fugitive since fleeing Rhode Island during his criminal trial in 2005. He 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.

 Following his arrest, Fischer was transported aboard the U.S. Coast Guard vessel to Coast Guard Station Staten Island, New York, where custody was transferred to Deputy U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement officials.

Court records show that at Monday’s arraignment, Fischer pled not guilty with bond set at $20,000 surety.

He has a pretrial conference scheduled for August 17th.

This investigation remains ongoing.