CHON BURI, June 29 — An American teacher subject to an outstanding arrest warrant in the United States for alleged sexual abuse and rape cases involving boys under the age of 12 has been arrested in Nonthaburi’s Pakkret district, according to the Chon Buri immigration police chief.
Pol Col Chusak Panasamporn announced the arrest of Dennis Gale Catron, 60, who is wanted by a court in Illinois after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault of a minor. The two criminal offences have a combined prison sentence of 36 years.
Mr Catron reportedly paid US$500,000 bail in Illinois before jumping bail and fleeing to Thailand where he has worked in a number of education institutes and colleges.
The arrest was conducted as a result of collaboration between the Royal Thai police and the US embassy in Thailand, which asked for the cooperation of the Thai immigration police in locating Mr Catron.
Col Chusak said Mr Catron came to Thailand several months ago, hiding in his residence in Muang Thong Thani area in Nonthaburi’s Pakkret district and in Soi Boekeow in central Pattaya, Chon Buri.
Mr Catron admitted that he was the person who is wanted under the arrest warrants. His Thai visa has now been revoked and he has been sent to the US embassy pending deportation to stand trial. (MCOT online news)
