Long-Running Rhode Island Fugitive Captured at Sea

A fugitive from Rhode Island, who had been evading capture for two decades and had appeared on “America’s Most Wanted,” has been apprehended by federal marshals on a yacht off New York’s coast.

Ronald L. Fisher was found on Thursday aboard a 56-foot sailboat named The Silver Lining, located about an hour away from shore. This marked the conclusion of a lengthy pursuit to locate sex offenders, as confirmed by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The 70-year-old had been on the lam since 2005, when he vanished during a criminal trial in Newport related to allegations of raping a woman on a yacht he called “The Lion King” two years earlier.

Fisher, described as a skilled yachtsman and well-connected traveler, was known to have used over a dozen aliases at the time of his capture. One of those names was Richard Graydon, registered under the title “Sign of Hope.”

It took federal and state officials “more than 48 hours” to zero in on Fisher’s location before intercepting him in waters near New York, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Days before his trial was to conclude, Fisher fled “Ocean State,” insisting on his innocence, yet expressing to his lawyer his intention to leave the country.

In an email from that time, Fisher stated, “Although I believe my trial went very well and I expect to be acquitted, there is a small chance that I will lose and face a very harsh penalty.” He had planned to evade the situation entirely and sought refuge in another country where he envisioned a comfortable life.

Despite his absence, the trial continued, ultimately resulting in his conviction for first-degree sexual assault.

Fisher was wanted for failure to appear in court, first-degree sexual assault, and for fleeing prosecution. During his time on the run, he was spotlighted multiple times on “America’s Most Wanted,” as noted by Rhode Island State Police.

Authorities expressed relief upon Fisher’s capture two decades after he first escaped.

“You can run away, but you can’t hide from justice,” stated Charles Callender, an assistant U.S. attorney in Rhode Island. He emphasized that Fisher would return to face consequences for his actions.

U.S. Marshal Wing Chau echoed this sentiment, saying, “Responsibility does not disappear with time,” and expressed hope that Fisher’s arrest would offer some justice and closure to the victims involved.

After his capture, Fisher was first taken to Staten Island and is now awaiting extradition proceedings in Manhattan regarding his charges, which may lead to appearances in federal court or an extradition hearing to Rhode Island.