![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")
AC Milan hope to sign Chelsea and Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech, 28. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Liverpool are eyeing a move for Real Madrid and France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 19. (El Nacional – in French)
Newcastle United have made contact with the representatives of Barcelona and France forward Ousmane Dembele, 24, even though the Spanish side are still trying to extend his contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
Tottenham are considering a move for Juventus and Netherlands centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, 22. (4-4-2 via Sun)
Sevilla have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 34, from Manchester United. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish)
Arsenal’s England Under-21 international Eddie Nketiah, 22, wants to leave for regular first-team football despite the Gunners keen to extend his contract which ends next summer. (Mail)
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has decided Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn, 24, still has a future at the club despite interest from clubs overseas. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea are interested in a move for Barcelona and USA defender Sergino Dest, 21. (El Nacional – via Metro)
Ralf Rangnick could be set to contact former club RB Leipzig for Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara, 23, as he seeks a replacement for Serbian 33-year-old Nemanja Matic at Manchester United. (Mirror)
Juventus are keen on signing Manchester United’s French forward Anthony Martial, 26, and Arsenal’s Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 32. (Gazzetta dello Sport, subscription required)
The Italian club are also interested in a surprise move for Fulham‘s 27-year-old Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. (90min)
Tottenham are currently leading the race to sign AC Milan and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie. The north London side will have to fight off interest from Paris St-Germain, who are also keen on the 25-year-old. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Brentford are in talks with Nottingham Forest over a January deal for 20-year-old Wales winger Brennan Johnson. (90min)
