![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-300x200.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
Barcelona were held to a goalless draw by Malaga in La Liga as they missed the presence of influential forwards Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Suarez was suspended for the stalemate at the Nou Camp and Messi missed out following a bout of illness.
Gerard Pique put the ball in the net for Barca but it was flagged for offside while Andre Gomes hit a post.
Malaga finished the match with nine men after Diego Llorente and Juan Carlos were both shown red cards.
Llorente was sent off for a late tackle on Neymar in the 68th minute while Carlos was dismissed for dissent in injury time.
Barcelona monopolised possession in the contest and had 28 attempts at goal but struggled to break down a resolute Malaga defence.
Barca centre-back Pique, who was thrown up front in the final 10 minutes as Luis Enrique’s side adopted a more direct approach, saw a late penalty appeal turned down by the referee.
Malaga’s best chance came just before the hour mark when Carlos rounded Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but could only strike the side netting from a tight angle.
Barcelona remain in second place and are a point behind table-topping Real Madrid, who face city rivals Atletico at the Vicente Calderon at 19:45 GMT.
Earlier, Sevilla moved up to third after they fought back from 2-0 down to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna thanks to Gabriel Mercado’s injury-time winner.
