An online tip led to the arrest of one of America’s “Most Wanted” fugitives.
The FBI working alongside the U.S. Coast Guards were able to capture Ronald L. Fischer who was on the run for over 20 years.
Fischer was wanted by authorities after he failed to appear to his child sexual assault trial.
Fox News provided the full details on Fischer’s capture and revealed where he was hiding:
Ronald L. Fischer, a former Rhode Island anesthesiologist who spent more than two decades on the run after fleeing during his child sexual assault trial, was captured aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey after an online sleuth’s tip helped investigators track him down, according to the FBI.
Fischer, one of Rhode Island’s longest-wanted fugitives, had been on the run since fleeing the state during his 2005 sexual assault trial. He never returned to court, and a jury later convicted him of first-degree sexual assault in his absence, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities searched for him for more than 20 years.
Investigators tracked Fischer to New York, where they found he was operating a 56-foot sailboat named The Silver Lining, which authorities said was registered under the alias “Richard Graydon.”
Deputy U.S. marshals, FBI agents and U.S. Coast Guard personnel intercepted the vessel off the coast of New Jersey before taking Fischer into custody without incident, according to the FBI Boston Division.
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks said the breakthrough came after investigators received “a tip from an online sleuth,” which led them to the sailboat registered under Fischer’s alias, Robert Graydon.
“Ronald Fischer thought he had escaped justice but thanks to a tip from an online sleuth, the FBI was able to develop new intelligence which led investigators to the boat belonging to Fischer under his alias Robert Graydon,” Docks said. “That’s when the FBI and the RI Violent Fugitive Task Force coordinated a multi-state law enforcement operation that resulted in Fischer’s capture. This is truly a testament to our strong law enforcement partnerships that allow for the seamless sharing of intelligence in real-time to take violent criminals off our streets.”
Fischer was transported aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel to Coast Guard Station Staten Island, where he was turned over to deputy U.S. marshals and local law enforcement officials.
🚨#BREAKING: After more than 20 years on the run, one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives, Ronald L. Fischer, is now in custody following a multi-state law enforcement operation by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force & #FBI Boston. Fischer, using the alias Richard… pic.twitter.com/aUmi5q06Gq
— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) July 16, 2026
Full text:
After more than 20 years on the run, one of Rhode Island’s most wanted fugitives, Ronald L. Fischer, is now in custody following a multi-state law enforcement operation by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force & #FBI Boston. Fischer, using the alias Richard Graydon, was taken into custody without incident after his boat was intercepted off the coast of New Jersey.
ADVERTISEMENTFischer 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.
Here was the victim’s response to Fischer being captured:
#ONLYON10 For the first time since Ronald Fischer was captured after more than 20 years on the run, his victim, Cheryl Gingerich, is speaking out.
Cheryl shares her reaction to the arrest and what this moment means after two decades.
📺Tonight at 5 only on @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/rKOrG9rNfL
— Leanna Faulk (@leannaafaulk) July 17, 2026
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