SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The trial for a former San Diego County sheriff's deputy accused of sexual misconduct while wearing his uniform began Monday in Vista.
More than a dozen women claim Deputy Richard Fischer made unwanted advances.
"I think he's a bad guy," a San Marcos woman, who filed $6,000,000 claim against the County, said.
She said in August of 2017 two sheriff's deputies knocked on her door in the middle of the night for a welfare check. There was no problem and they left but she said Fischer returned alone an hour later, saying he needed to use her restroom; then told her she was cute and hugged her, several times.
"I was stunned shocked, it was very fast and confusing...I felt very vulnerable, intimidated, felt weak. I felt little." She said, next to tears. "It's just a mess! Everything is a mess! This is hard to do. He shouldn't have come back to my house and I don't ... Everything's a mess!"
Similar instances were described by other women. In October of 2017, near the entryway of a 64-year-old woman's condo, Fischer took her report for a domestic violence incident and then made his move.
"His hands went all the way down to her butt and he squeezed both of her buttocks... he took her hand and pulled it down to his groin area," Lawyer Dan Gilleon said. He represents several women who filed claims against Fischer.
Gilleon made a theme apparent, "he knows that she's alone, and she's vulnerable, and she's scared." Another victim called him a predator.
Some women who came forward claim Fischer became more brazen, forcing sexual acts.
Wednesday a plea deal fell through. The deal would mean Fischer would plead guilty to four felony charges -- down from more than 12 felonies -- and serve no more than five years in prison.
10News learned that Fischer would also have to register as a sex offender for life under the plea deal.
Fischer faces more than 25 years in prison if convicted of all charges. He has emphatically denied the allegations.
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