After eluding authorities for nearly 20 years, a fugitive known for being on Rhode Island’s most-wanted list has been apprehended at last.
Ronald Fischer, who was convicted of raping Cheryl Gingrich on his boat in 2003, managed to disappear in 2005 during his trial in Newport.
On Thursday, Fischer was successfully captured by a collaborative effort between the US Marshals and the Coast Guard, who found him aboard a sailboat off the New Jersey coastline.
According to a statement from the US Marshals Service, investigators discovered Fischer navigating a 56-foot sailing boat named The Silver Lining. This vessel was incorrectly registered under the name Richard Graydon, an alias Fischer had adopted.
Utilizing a 45-foot Response Boat of the US Coast Guard, Deputy Marshals, along with Coast Guard personnel, managed to locate and intercept Fischer’s vessel about an hour away from shore.
The perp was taken into custody without incident, officials said. He was brought to Staten Island before being transferred to US Marshals and local police.
Fischer, a former doctor, was known to use multiple aliases and fake identities while evading authorities, NBC 10 WJAR reported.
The ex-doctor has a history of violence, pleading guilty to assaulting another woman before the attack on Gingrich – a conviction that ultimately cost him his medical license.
Fischer was caught Thursday by US Marshals and the Coast Guard aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey
Cheryl Gingrich was assaulted aboard Fischer’s boat in 2003
He raped Gingrich aboard his boat, The Lion King, in 2003 after the two met through an online dating ad.
His profile falsely claimed he was a physician and he shaved seven years off his age.
In her statement to police at the time, Gingrich recalled thinking: ‘All I could think was, “I’m alone at the bottom of this boat, and no one will hear me if I scream.”‘
Gingrich spoke to the outlet in 2025, saying the incident ‘changed the whole trajectory of her life’ and that she later received treatment for PTSD.
The victim described Fischer as an egotist and narcissist, saying he was ‘all about money and living a rich lifestyle.’
Retired Portsmouth police detective AJ Bucci called Fischer a ‘chameleon,’ saying he tried to appear as the kind of person who seemed like ‘a good catch.’
During his trial, Fischer emailed his lawyers shortly before closing arguments.
‘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, per the outlet.
‘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.’
The two met through an online dating ad
Fischer has been on the run for decades. During his trial, Fischer sent his lawyers a goodbye email shortly before closing arguments
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The jury convicted Fischer despite his absence from the courtroom. Gingrich said his escape made her lose faith in the justice system.
Rhode Island State Police described Fischer as a ‘master yachtsman’ and an internationally connected world traveler when they added him to their most-wanted list.
‘This arrest demonstrates that time does not erase accountability,’ said Wing Chau, US Marshal for the District of Rhode Island.
‘We hope today’s arrest brings a measure of justice and long-awaited closure to the victim and everyone impacted by these crimes.’