![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")
Newcastle United have appointed Eddie Howe to succeed Steve Bruce as the Premier League club’s head coach.
Howe, who has signed a contract until the summer of 2024, has not been in management since he left Bournemouth in August 2020 following relegation.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, but there is also a lot of work ahead of us,” Howe told Newcastle’s website.
He takes over with Newcastle 19th in the table, five points from safety after 11 games.
Howe watched Newcastle’s 1-1 league draw at Brighton on Saturday from the stands.
“I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players,” he added.
“I would like to thank the club’s owners for this opportunity and thank the club’s supporters for the incredible welcome they have already given me. I am very excited to begin our journey together.”
The Magpies had approached Villarreal manager Unai Emery to take over as their new boss, but the Spaniard turned them down.
Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley said the club had been “incredibly impressed” by Howe through what had been a “rigorous recruitment process”.
She described Howe, whose first game in charge will be at home to Brentford on 20 November, as a “passionate” and “dynamic” coach.
“He is a great fit for what we are trying to build here,” added Staveley.
Bruce left Newcastle by mutual consent on 20 October, just 13 days after the Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of the club was completed.
Graeme Jones has been in interim charge and the Tyneside club have drawn with Crystal Palace and Brighton as well as losing to Chelsea under him.
Howe took Bournemouth from the bottom of League Two to the Premier League, and kept the south coast club there for five seasons.
He will be familiar with Newcastle players Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie having managed the trio at Bournemouth.
They have a guy who knows the league, who knows what it is like in that position. He understands the league and what a big club Newcastle are and he will come back energised and it is a very wise signing.
Three players in there that worked with him at Bournemouth – not too sure how Fraser will react with his ending at Bournemouth, that could be an interesting handshake.
