![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")
Burnley manager Scott Parker says he understands the excitement around the expected signing of Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes – but insists the winger will be a “development prospect”, not a first-team regular.
The Championship club are reportedly putting the finishing touches to a deal which will see the former Barcelona teenager swap the Nou Camp for Turf Moor on what is expected to be a two-year deal.
While the Burnley manager admitted he understood the buzz about the 19-year-old given his father’s achievements in the game, he has urged perspective regarding his prospects.
“This is a player we see as a development player and a project in that sense,” said Parker before Burnley’s home game against Cardiff this weekend.
“As of right now the paperwork has not been signed but there is definitely something in it for sure.
“I get the excitement around it but I think it would be unfair to heap a huge amount of pressure on a young boy coming here.
“He knows why he is coming here in terms of development so I wouldn’t want to heap more pressure than that which is already on him.”
Mendes came through Cruzeiro’s academy in Brazil before signing for Barcelona’s Under-19s in 2023 following a successful trial.
He did not make an appearance for Barcelona’s senior side and his 12-month contract with the La Liga giants ended in June 2024.
