Woman accuses sheriff's deputy of sexual assault

A woman is accusing a San Diego Sheriff's Deputy of sexually assaulting her in August of this year.

The woman, referred to as Jane Doe, filed a claim to the County of San Diego on November 1.

The claim is a precursor to a lawsuit.

The woman says that San Diego County Sheriff's deputy Richard Fischer and his partner went to her home in the early-morning hours of August 20 after her father had called dispatch asking for them to conduct a welfare check.

The deputies left shortly after arriving.

According to the claim, less than an hour later Fischer returned, this time alone. He told the woman that he needed to use her restroom. She let him inside.

Once inside, Fischer allegedly told the woman that he thought she "was cute." He then grabbed her and hugged her for more than ten seconds. While in the embrace he pressed his chest against hers and then began to rub her on her torso and buttocks. He let go, told her she was good looking, and then hugged her again.

"Jane Doe was terrified, yet she able to order Fischer to leave her home," reads the November 1 claim. "In total, Fischer was in Jane Doe's house for [seven] to [ten] minutes."

The claim says Fischer violated her civil rights, battery, and sexual harassment.

The attorney who submitted the claim on the woman's behalf, Dan Gilleon, declined to comment for this story.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's department confirmed they have received the complaint.

"The employee was immediately moved to an administrative assignment upon notification of the complaint," says the spokesperson. "The Sheriff's Department does not comment on pending criminal or internal investigations. However, the department holds all of our employees to the highest standards and is in the process of conducting a prompt and thorough investigation into the allegations."