WOMEN ACCUSE SHERIFF’S DEPUTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, INCLUDING EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: San Diego Sheriff via Twitter after Deputy Fischer visited KUSI with K-9 “Magic”

November 24, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Fischer has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation of complaints filed by several women alleging sexual misconduct including sexual assaults.

The women are represented by attorney Dan Gilleon and have not been identified.

The first woman to come forward alleges that Deputy Fischer came with other deputies to her home for a welfare check on August 20^th, but returned alone later on, asking to use the restroom.  The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Fischer told the woman he thought she was cute, hugged her and rubbed his hands down her torso, arms and buttocks.  The woman reportedly asked him to leave her home.

The second complaint made by a San Marcos woman, alleges that over a year ago, in August 2016, Fischer came with other deputies to investigate a burglary at her home.  She accuses Fischer of returning alone and as in the more recent case, asked to use the bathroom and then hugged her repeatedly without permission, 10 News reported.

An East County woman in a third case alleges that Deputy Fischer groped and fondled her repeatedly following a traffic stop. After stopping the vehicle with the victim and her husband, the deputy reportedly found prescription drugs which he claimed were illegal. The woman says he handcuffed her and put her in the back of the Sheriff’s vehicle, where he allegedly fondled her breast, saying, “I hope your husband doesn’t mind.”  The woman told CBS 8 that she feared she would be raped.  The deputy fondled her additional times at the Lakeside substation and Las Colinas women’s prison before informing her she would not be going to jail; instead he issued her a ticket, drove her home, and asked “Can I get a hug?”

The fourth victim to step forward is from El Cajon. She has said that Deputy Fischer grabbed her breasts and asked if she had any nude photos, her attorney told 10 news.

In the fifth complaint, a 64-year-old woman alleges that after taking her report of domestic violence, Fischer “told her she was attractive and hugged her without consent.  Her attorney told 10 News, “He squeezed both her buttocks and then pulled her hand down to his groin area.”  

The victims’ attorney contends that Fischer should have ben taken out of the field earlier and announced he plans to file litigation on behalf of the women.

Fischer has been featured last year on the Sheriff’s Twitter feed with K-9 dog “Magic.” He appeared in June at “Fido Fest” in Santee demonstrating how a K-9 apprehends a suspect.  (Photo by Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson)

A statement from the Sheriff’s department sent to 10 News, ECM’s news partner, indicates the department is barred by law from releasing details on the investigation, but added, “Any allegations of this nature are taken very seriously and the department will take the appropriate actions at the conclusion of the investigation.”