Ex-Deputy Convicted of Assaulting Women Out at Christian Group

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during the annual New York State Financial Control Board meeting, Aug. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File) 2026-09-02T18:01:09Z On Friday, Voice of San Diego revealed that an ex-sheriff’s deputy convicted of assaulting women had a new role as a chaplain counseling cops in crisis for a Christian nonprofit. Just days later, the organization announced it had cut ties with the man. More than 20 women accused the ex-deputy, Ricky Fischer, of a range of abuses. They included stalking and groping and even forcing a woman who called the Sheriff’s Office for help after receiving domestic violence threats to perform oral sex on him. Fischer ultimately pleaded guilty to a half dozen offenses related to his assaults. San Diego County taxpayers footed the bill for the about $10 million paid out to victims in a civil settlement. Even given that sordid background, the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship, whose mission is to provide mentorship and counseling to police officers, decided to bring him on as a chaplain. On Tuesday, Jerry Hara, the organization’s president, released a statement apologizing for the decision and announcing Fischer was no longer affiliated with the nonprofit. “In retrospect, we were overzealous in our desire to help him through his redemption journey. Regrettably, we did not give sufficient consideration for the unintentional damage we caused the victims, law enforcement agencies in the county, as well as the taxpayers,” Hara wrote in a statement. The revelation that Fischer could be creeping back into public life in such a sensitive capacity outraged state Sen. Catherine Blakespear. “When I saw your article, it literally made my blood boil,” Blakespear said. (