![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")
Unai Emery wants Aston Villa to “break barriers” and become regular contenders for silverware as they prepare to take on Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Emery has guided Aston Villa from the bottom half of the Premier League to the Champions League since taking over as head coach just two years ago.
They have made their best start to a league season since 1998 and have won both of their Champions League games so far, including a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
“I don’t want to waste my time here, that is my message,” said the Aston Villa boss.
“We want to achieve the objectives and one of them is to play in the Champions League. It is not about playing there only because of some circumstances – I want us to stay there for a long time.
“You have to be resilient. We want to be strong in the idea in our mind and create a strong mentality to always break barriers.”
Defender Matty Cash says Aston Villa “have not got a ceiling” as they seek a first major honour since the 1996 EFL Cup.
“In the last four years since I joined, the club has just gone through the roof,” said Cash, who could make his Champions League debut against Bologna after missing the first two games through injury. “I think it can go all the way to the top.”
Ezri Konsa is pushing for a recall after he was a substitute at Fulham on Saturday due to a minor injury. John McGinn is also in contention after coming off the bench at Craven Cottage following his return to fitness.
