Fugitive Profiled on ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Captured Off Coast of New York After 20 Years on the Run

A man who has been on the run for more than 20 years and was profiled on America’s Most Wanted was finally captured by US Marshals on a sailing yacht, ending a two-decade-long manhunt.

Ronald L. Fischer was on Rhode Island’s Most Wanted fugitives list after fleeing the country days before closing arguments were scheduled in his 2005 trial, where he was accused of raping a woman on his yacht two years prior. He was later convicted of first-degree sexual assault in absentia. His decision to flee also made him wanted for failure to appear and flight to avoid prosecution.

According to the US Marshals, Fischer, 70, was captured without incident with the help of the US Coast Guard on a sailing vessel, The Silver Lining, roughly one hour offshore of New York. After learning of Fischer’s whereabouts and an alias he used to register the boat, Richard Graydon, officials launched a 48-hour investigation and operation to apprehend him.

“This arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability,” said Wing Chau, U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island. “For 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. Thanks to outstanding investigative work, exceptional intelligence analysis, and seamless coordination between agencies, Fischer is finally in custody. We hope today’s arrest brings a measure of justice and long-awaited closure to the victim and everyone impacted by these crimes.”

Fischer’s story was profiled on America’s Most Wanted after he first evaded justice. The story fascinated the public at the time because he let his attorney know he was going to flee the country before the end of his trial in an email.

“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 at the time, per WPRI. “I have therefore decided not to take the risk and to leave the U.S. and enjoy life in another country where I have long been carefully planning a good, safe, secure and comfortable life.”

“You can run, but you cannot hide from justice,” First Assistant United States Attorney Charles Calenda told the outlet. “Ronald Fischer will now return to Rhode Island to face the consequences he sought to evade for more than 20 years.”