Rhode Island fugitive captured after more than 20 years on the run

U.S. newsRhode Island fugitive captured after more than 20 years on the runRonald Fischer disappeared in 2005 during his criminal trial on sexual assault charges, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 18, 2026, 12:35 PM EDTBy Mirna AlsharifOne of Rhode Island’s “longest-wanted” 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-freeGet 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, according to the Marshals Service. Fischer was accused of raping a woman aboard his boat, the “Lion King,” in 2003, NBC New York reported.“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,” the Marshals Service said in a press release Thursday.Earlier this week, investigators received information about Fischer’s whereabouts that they determined was credible, prompting members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force to deploy to New York.Ronald L. Fischer.Investigators determined Fischer was operating a 56-foot sailboat named “The Silver Lining,” 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.According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s 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.Books on how to evade law enforcement were found at Fischer’s residence during a search warrant, and it was determined that he was using what’s known as...