Fugitive Convicted of Sexual Assault Arrested Off US Coast

Ronald Fischer, 70, a "master yachtsman" who fled a sexual assault trial in Rhode Island in 2005, was arrested on Thursday off the coast of New Jersey. Fischer was convicted in his absence and sentenced to life imprisonment after informing his lawyer of his intention to "enjoy life in another country." He had been considered one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives for over two decades. His case was frequently featured on the true-crime television program "America's Most Wanted." State police officials confirmed his capture in a social media statement. The arrest occurred on a sailboat, highlighting his maritime background. Fischer's flight from justice spanned more than 19 years before his apprehension by authorities near the New Jersey coastline. The conviction and subsequent life sentence were handed down by the Rhode Island court system in 2005, following his disappearance before the trial concluded. His capture marks the end of a prolonged period as a fugitive.