A 51-year-old woman testified Monday that a sheriff's deputy who responded to a 911 call at a living facility she ran in Vista for people with mental health and drug issues returned to her apartment unannounced on a later occasion and forced her to perform a sex act on him.
The woman's testimony came as a preliminary hearing got underway for Richard Timothy Fischer, who is charged with groping and sexually assaulting 16 women while on patrol.
Fischer, 32, first surrendered to authorities in February after allegations surfaced months earlier that he had groped or fondled 13 women. He was charged with sexual battery, assault and battery by an officer, and false imprisonment.
RELATED: San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Accused Of Sexual Assault Arraigned On New Charges
In August, prosecutors added five new charges against the defendant, including forcible oral copulation, involving three more women.
The 51-year-old businesswoman testified that Fischer first responded to a 911 call at her facility about 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2016. She said Fischer and his partner told her the matter had been resolved and started to leave.
Fischer came back in and said "Can I have a hug?" the woman testified.
Since it was New Year's Eve, "I didn't see any harm," the witness testified.
She said Fischer told her she was beautiful, then left.
The mother of three testified that Fischer returned in March 2017, coming into her garage which she used as an office for her business.
The woman said Fischer asked to talk privately, told her that he wasn't married and asked for another hug.
"He was flirtatious," the witness testified, saying she told Fischer the hug was not appropriate.
The woman said Fischer returned sometime between March 27 and April 4 of last year as she was getting ready for bed.
"He said he wanted to talk to me about something important," she testified.
The woman said she let Fischer in, and he pushed her onto her bed and sexually assaulted her.
Deputy District Attorney Annette Irving told Judge Daniel Goldstein at the end of a five-day preliminary hearing on the original charges earlier this year that Fischer "preyed" upon the alleged victims while on duty and in full uniform, mostly late at night.
RELATED: Sheriff’s Deputy Accused Of Groping Women Arrested Again On Five New Charges
Fischer asked the alleged victims for hugs, touched the breasts of some, and moved the hand of one woman over his crotch while they hugged for a third time, Irving said.
When the woman asked Fischer what he was doing, he said "Don't tell anyone," according to the prosecutor.
Fischer faces more than 25 years behind bars if convicted of all charges.
At least 20 women have filed lawsuits against Fischer in civil court.
At the end of the current preliminary hearing, Goldstein will determine if a trial is warranted over the five new charges against Fischer.
