![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")
Jhon Duran capped off an unforgettable night at Villa Park with the goal that took Aston Villa to a 1-0 win against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, replicating the scoreline of their European Cup final triumph against the Bavarians in 1982.
There were fireworks at Villa Park before kick-off but Bayern certainly kept their cool, immediately taking control of possession and moving the ball well.
Joshua Kimmich was particularly prominent, although his ball to Serge Gnabry came to nothing as the winger was unsuccessful with his attempted cutback to Harry Kane.
Aston Villa had to show discipline and made their first meaningful foray forward on the quarter-hour mark, with Kim Min-Jae rising well to meet Lucas Digne’s cross ahead of Ollie Watkins.
The striker also caused problems for Dayot Upamecano at every opportunity, and having got away with one challenge on Watkins, the Frenchman was booked for pulling him in the 22nd minute.
Villa Park erupted moments later, as a routine from the ensuing free-kick culminated in Jaden Philogene touching the ball down for Pau Torres to poke it in, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
There was further disappointment as Jacob Ramsey went off injured, although there would have been relief when Gnabry smashed his shot off-target after Konrad Laimer played him behind.
Michael Olise then hit a wonderful curling strike that Emiliano Martinez did brilliantly to tip over.
Vincent Kompany introduced Jamal Musiala ahead of the restart, but the hosts continued to stand firm with Torres blocking two attempts from Olise in quick succession.
There was still a blow for Unai Emery as Amadou Onana went off injured on the hour mark, but his backline remained impenetrable as Gnabry’s latest effort was held by Martínez before Torres blocked Musiala’s strike.
For all of the big names brought on for Bayern, it was Aston Villa’s Duran who made the difference from the bench, latching onto Torres’ ball forward and leaving Manuel Neuer stranded with an outstanding finish.
Martinez then heroically denied Gnabry and Kane at the death to see out a famous victory – Aston Villa’s second win from two UCL games – as they went a seventh consecutive match unbeaten across all competitions.
They also inflicted Bayern’s first defeat in 42 matches at this stage of the UCL, as well as their first under Vincent Kompany’s leadership.
![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-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
