A San Diego County sheriff's deputy, ordered to stand trial on assault and battery by a peace officer, pleaded not guilty to five new charges Monday, including oral copulation by force.
Deputy Richard Fischer's bail was reduced to $750,000 from the previous $2 million bail.
In addition to the five new counts, Fischer is facing another 15 that he pleaded not guilty to involving 13 other women.
Fischer posted the original bail Friday and was released.
"The crimes alleged your honor are very, very serious," Deputy District Attorney Annette Irving told the judge. "He abused his position undermining the faith and trust the public has in law enforcement."
Fischer's defense argued the claims made against the deputy are unsubstantiated and false.
"There's no independent proof whatsoever other than the allegations of these alleged victims," said defense attorney Manny Medrano.
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Judge Daniel Goldstein said he has concerns about how both sides were handling the case outside of the courtroom, specifically on how they talk about the trial’s details to the public.
Goldstein feared the case may need to be taken to a different county as it escalates.
“The last victim listed in count 5 was victimized by Fischer just hours before the first victim alleged in count one in Fischer’s previous case,” the prosecutor said at a court hearing on Friday.
“These crimes occurred all on duty,” said Irving. “He was in full uniform, driving a marked patrol car, donning a badge, his police-issued firearm, baton and handcuffs.”
The victim in three of the new counts is a 51-year old woman who owns an assisted living facility.
Near the end of March and beginning of April, at 9:30 p.m. the victim was watching television in the living room when the defendant drove up in his patrol vehicle and shined a bright light into the home, prosecutors allege.
When he told her to open the garage, the woman did so because she thought the issue was involving her business.
Once inside the woman's kitchen, the deputy allegedly grabbed her face and forcefully started to kiss her and grope her with his hands all over her body.
It’s alleged that the deputy forced the woman to perform oral sex on him.
“She could hear the dog barking from his car. She described the gun that he was wearing on his belt,” Irving said in court. “All of a sudden he stopped and said ‘I’m married. I have a child. I’m going now.’”
Sheriff's department reports show the deputy was dispatched to the address twice previously. The department's auto vehicle locator shows the deputy’s car showed up at the victim’s address five times including a date that falls closely to the date the victim said she was assaulted, Irving said.
She said no service call was placed.
To see a full timeline of the criminal case against Fischer, click here.
