A veteran San Diego County sheriff’s deputy accused of groping a dozen women while on duty over the past several years pleaded not guilty Thursday to 14 charges, including assault and battery by an officer, sexual battery and false imprisonment.
Richard Timothy Fischer, 31, surrendered to authorities before being arraigned by Judge David Danielsen, who ordered the defendant held on $100,000 bail.
Fischer was placed on paid administrative leave when the first allegations against him came to light last October. The six-year veteran was removed from paid-leave status last month.
Investigators looked into allegations that Fischer fondled women during pat-downs or rubbed their hands against his genitals.
The charges against Fischer cover the period from 2015 to 2017, according to the criminal complaint.
— City News Service