Authorities Arrest Nine Sex Offenders in ‘Operation Dunder Mifflin’

Nine Pennsylvania residents were taken into custody this week under “Operation Dunder Mifflin,” a multiagency effort that targeted convicted sex offenders living in the Scranton area. 

The name of the operation is an obvious nod to NBC’s The Office, a mockumentary sitcom that followed employees of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Though shot primarily in Southern California, the award-winning series was set in the city of Scranton, which likely explains the name choice.

According to CNN, the U.S. Marshals Service led the operation with the help of the Scranton Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police. The joint effort, which was carried between Aug. 2 and Sept. 17 aimed to verify the addresses of more than 200 known sex offenders. Authorities ultimately determined 13 of those targets had been in violation of sex offender registration laws; nine of them, including one woman, have since been arrested, while the other four are being sought for outstanding warrants.

“This joint operation was successful in ensuring those required to register remain compliant and those who are in violation are brought before the court to answer for their non-compliance,” Scranton Chief of Police Leonard A. Namiotka said in a statement. “The cooperation between the Scranton Police Department and our law enforcement partners is paramount in making our community safe for all citizens.”

The nine who were arrested were identified as the following convicts:

Evan Bolthouse, a 22-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Indecent Assault.

Israel Capeless-Medina, a 39-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Indecent Assault.

Christopher Cigna, a 44-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Sexual Abuse of Children.

Heather Laracuente-Ellingwood, a 41-year-old Scranton woman who was required to register for a conviction of Statutory Rape in New York.

Joseph Maurer, a 24-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Corruption of Minors.

Charles Prymock, a 35-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Indecent Assault.

Dale Thomas, a 48-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Indecent Assault.

Kevin Sanford, a 43-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for Sexual Abuse in New York.

Ronald Williams, a 53-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse.

Authorities have also released the names, photos, and descriptions of the wanted offenders:

Rafael Aguilu, a 43-year-old Scranton who was required to register for a conviction of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse.

Ricardo Reid, a 47-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of a 2nd degree sex offense in North Carolina.

Bradley Runk, a 20-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Corruption of Minors.

Almond Santos, a 30-year-old Scranton man who was required to register for a conviction of Indecent Assault.

Anyone with information on the fugitives’ whereabouts are asked to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-800-336-0102 or [email protected].