![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")
BrBrighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis MacAllister scored from the penalty spot late into stoppage time to give his team a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in a tense Premier League battle on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s team now sit in fourth position on 63 points, four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool but with a game in hand, while Brighton move up to sixth on 55 points.
Brighton gained some vengeance after losing on penalties to Manchester United in their FA Cup semi-final 11 days earlier.
The hosts controlled possession and should have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute when Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma intercepted a bad pass from Victor Lindelof, but his shot was blocked by David De Gea.
Mitoma was a menace throughout, generating numerous opportunities for himself before setting up Danny Welbeck, who fired high and wide from the outside of the box early in the second half as United battled to get the ball out of defence.
United midfielder Casemiro was fortunate not to get a second yellow card after being booked in the first half when he chopped down MacAllister on the outside of the box in the second half.
In the 68th minute, United winger Antony, enraged at not being granted a free kick, was punished for a foul on MacAllister before collapsing with Lewis Dunk, earning both players yellow cards.
Brighton pressed on in search of a winner, with replacement Solly March and MacAllister both requiring excellent stops from De Gea as the clock approached 90 minutes.
United seemed to be heading for a draw until late in the game when Luke Shaw was deemed to have touched the ball in the area following a VAR review, and MacAllister slammed home the spot penalty nine minutes into stoppage time to clinch the victory.
“Really happy and delighted with the performance and result,” said Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi, according to Sky Sports. “There is a God of football; we deserved to win the (FA Cup) semi-final but lost on penalties, but we won today with a penalty.”
United defender Shaw accepted responsibility for his gaffe, calling it a “silly error that cost us a point,” but said his team was still on track to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“Teams around us are picking up points, (but) we still have a game in hand and it is in our hands,” he said to Sky Sports.
