September 9, 2002 A 45-year-old fugitive, on the run for over two years from Oregon and Georgia authorities, was apprehended by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office early Sunday morning after a tipster recognized the man on the Saturday evening airing of America’s Most Wanted. James Ross Fischer was taken into custody at approximately 2:52 a.m. after deputies located him living in a camper on Cain Circle in North Forsyth County. Fischer was taken into custody without incident and then taken to the Forsyth County Detention Center. According to deputies on the scene, a teletype was received from the Albany Police Department in Albany, Oregon, saying that a tipster had contacted America’s Most Wanted Saturday evening after the show aired with information about the whereabouts of Fischer. Deputies began surveillance of two addresses where they thought Fischer might be located. A little before 3 a.m., the deputies surrounded the camper, knocked on the door, and Fischer stepped out, unclothed. He identified himself as “Kevin”, however, deputies recognized him from the photographs they had received. Fischer was immediately taken into custody. Found inside of the camper, underneath Fischer’s pillow, was a loaded 9 mm Makarov semi-automatic handgun. Inside the camper with Fischer, was a female identified only as his girlfriend. She was questioned and released. Fischer was wanted in Oregon for rape, sexual abuse, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and escape. According to the broadcast, Fischer had sexual intercourse three times between mid-January 1999 and early February 1999 with a 15-year-old girl. He was arrested on the rape charges on February 12, 1999 and housed in the Linn County, Oregon jail located in Albany, Oregon. He was later released on his own recognizance. He was indicted on several rape abuse charges with his trial scheduled in November 1999. He did not appear for trial. Fischer was located in April 2000 in North Carolina and then fled to Georgia. On April 26, 2000, he was apprehended at a remote mountain cabin in Fannin County, Ga. While Fischer was awaiting extradition to Oregon, he escaped from the Fannin County Detention Center. He has been a fugitive since sometime in June 2000. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office also had charges of escape against Fischer. Since his capture, he has been transferred to the Fannin County jail, awaiting extradition. |
