![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")
Al-Ittihad are ready to test Liverpool’s resolve with a $162m (£129m) bid for Mohamed Salah, despite the Reds insisting the 31-year-old Egypt forward is not for sale. (CBS Sports)
Manchester United have inquired about Brentford’s English defender Rico Henry, 26, as they consider options to replace injured England left-back Luke Shaw, 28. (Mail)
Manchester United are considering a surprise move for Tottenham’s 28-year-old Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. (Telegraph – subscription required)
Bayern Munich are looking to secure a loan deal for Manchester United’s Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 26, and could allow Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, 21, to move to Old Trafford on loan. (Bild – in German)
United are set to reject West Ham’s latest offer for England defender Harry Maguire, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to keep the 30-year-old amid the club’s mounting injury problems. (Talksport)
West Ham have agreed personal terms with Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto and the 22-year-old is expected to complete a permanent switch in the next 24 hours. (Football Insider)
Chelsea are considering a late move for 23-year-old Arsenal and England midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, with Barcelona pair – Spanish forward Ferran Torres, 23, and Brazilian winger Raphinha, 26 – also being considered by the Blues. (Mail)
Tottenham have entered talks with Nottingham Forest over a deal for their Wales forward Brennan Johnson, but a formal bid is yet to be submitted for the 22-year-old. (Sky Sports)
Barcelona expect to complete a loan deal for Manchester City’s 29-year-old Portugal full-back, Joao Cancelo, in the coming days. (ESPN)
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Leicester’s 26-year-old Nigeria midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi. (Talksport)
But Bayern Munich are also interested in Ndidi. (Football Insider)
Liverpool are pushing to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko, with Everton, Burnley and Crystal Palace also interested in the 20-year-old. (Football Insider)
Nottingham Forest have submitted a bid close to 9m euros (£7.7m) for Benfica and Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, 29. (Fabrizio Romano)
Forest are also close to completing a swap deal for Bologna’s 25-year-old Argentina midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, which will see Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler, 31, move the other way. (Sky Sports)
Leeds have made an approach for Tottenham’s England Under-21 right-back Djed Spence, 23, on a season-long loan deal. (Athletic – subscription required)
Saudi side Al-Ittihad are also interested in Liverpool’s England defender, Joe Gomez, but the Reds have no intention of selling the 26-year-old. (Fabrizio Romano)
Brazil midfielder Fred, 30, appears to have confirmed 25-year-old Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s imminent move to Manchester United by wishing his Fenerbahce team-mate well at Old Trafford. (Manchester Evening News)
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