DANVILLE — After nearly 19 years on the run, international fugitive and convicted child sex offender Dennis G. Catron is on his way to an Illinois prison cell.

Catron, 60, formerly of Hoopeston, appeared in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Wednesday, and waived his right to a hearing that he was entitled to because he was tried, convicted and sentenced on sex abuse charges in absentia back in 1994.

Associate Judge Derek Girton told Catron — unshaven and disheveled-looking in a red striped polo shirt, faded black slacks and tan canvas shoes — that he had a right to the hearing to explain whether his absence at the 1994 trial and sentencing "was without fault or anything beyond his control."

Catron first responded, "I haven't had any privilege to counsel."

After Girton explained again that he had already been tried and sentenced and only could ask for the hearing, Catron then answered no.

Vermilion County State's Attorney Randy Brinegar said everyone concerned is glad that Catron is finally on his way to prison. "My frustration is he's on his way to prison now when he should have been years ago."

Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn said his department is making arrangements to deliver Catron to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"It's a good close to a long chapter in this case spanning 20-some years since we first received complaints against him," Hartshorn said.

A former Hoopeston alderman and Ludlow schools superintendent, Catron was arrested in June 1991 at his Hoopeston home after a Ludlow boy's father and stepmother filed a complaint with Hoopeston police, who then went to Catron's home and found the boy there. Catron was charged with sexually abusing the boy during six months in 1991.

The next month, Catron was charged in Champaign County for molesting two Ludlow boys, including the same 13-year-old victim in the Vermilion County case. He later was acquitted on the charges involving the other victim.

About five months after his arrest, Catron was free on bond on charges in both counties when he failed to appear for his trial on the sex abuse charges in Vermilion County. Later, he failed to appear for a court date in Champaign County. Then in July 1992, Catron turned himself in to Vermilion County authorities.

That August, a plea agreement that would have kept Catron behind bars fell apart, allowing Catron to post bond again — $20,000 on his pending charges in both counties. A month later, he failed to appear for a Champaign County court hearing.

In May 1994, Catron was found guilty of the Vermilion County sex abuse charges in absentia and that August, he was sentenced to prison.

Authorities believe he had been in Thailand since he vanished in 1992.