![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")
Granit Xhaka reacted furiously to home supporters booing him as Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners captain cupped his ears to the fans who appeared to ironically cheer him as he left the pitch on the hour mark, before removing his shirt and walking straight down the tunnel.
That is one more headache for manager Unai Emery to contend with after his side threw away a golden opportunity to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League after the defeat to Sheffield United on Monday.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz put them 2-0 up after just nine minutes, but Palace ensured a share of the spoils with a Luka Milivojevic penalty and Jordan Ayew header either side of half-time. Sokratis had a late effort ruled out after a VAR review, as Arsenal’s afternoon ended in misery.
READ ALSO: 4 Fraudsters Using EFCC Chairman’s Name Nabbed
Arsenal started in blistering fashion and raced into a two-goal lead inside nine minutes.
Sokratis hit the first in the seventh minute, volleying home from close range after Palace made a mess of a corner, before David Luiz doubled their advantage 106 seconds later. The Brazilian stormed in unmarked at the back post to prod home Alexandre Lacazette’s flick-on from a corner.
Palace stemmed the Arsenal tide and reduced the deficit in the 32nd minute. A VAR review overturned Martin Atkinson’s original decision to book Wilfried Zaha for a dive in the penalty area under a challenge from Calum Chambers, with Milivojevic slotting home the resulting spot-kick.
Palace restored parity seven minutes into the second period when Ayew lost David Luiz in the area to nod home James McArthur’s cross from the left.
Xhaka’s spat with supporters followed soon after, while Sokratis thought he had sealed all three points six minutes from time. His effort from 10 yards was ruled out following a review, however, after Chambers had been deemed to have made a foul in the build-up.
Zaha flashed wide in the closing stages as Palace threatened to make life even more difficult for Emery, who now faces the unenviable task of building bridges between his captain and supporters.
