![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")
Tottenham have made enquiries about signing Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley, but they would have to offer at least £35m for the 23-year-old. (Evening Standard)
And Spurs are also interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in January and have made a £25m bid. (Squawka)
Brazil midfielder Oscar, 25, is keen to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place, rather than move to China. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea could replace Oscar with Genoa’s 23-year-old Uruguay midfielder Diego Laxalt. (Mirror)
England Under-20 defender Reece Oxford has snubbed interest from Manchester United and Manchester City and will sign a five-year deal with West Ham. The deal will be announced on the player’s 18th birthday on Friday. (Sun)
Liverpool owner John W Henry has denied rumours that a Chinese takeover of the club is imminent. (Liverpool Echo)
Swansea boss Bob Bradley wants to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker in the January transfer window. (Talksport)
Crystal Palace are targeting Santos attacking midfielder Lucas Lima, but are refusing to pay more than £8m for the 26-year-old Brazil international. (Sun)
Best of social media
Yaya Toure tweeted after his 200th Premier League game for Manchester City. The midfielder wrote: “Great to mark 200 Premier League games at City with a win in front of our fans!” (Twitter)
Full-back Cesar Azpilicueta’s 200th game for Chelsea was the side’s 10th league win in a row. He tweeted: “We keep working hard and getting points! Another step forward! Happy to make my 200th appearance for the club! Hopefully many more to come.” (Twitter)
Ander Herrera praised Manchester United after their late winner against Crystal Palace. “Even when we don’t have our best day, we are a TEAM, deserved victory,” the midfielder tweeted. (Twitter)
Former Liverpool and Netherlands striker Dirk Kuyt, 36, went home with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick for Feyenoord against ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Cup.
