![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")
Arsenal are weighing up moves for Chelsea’s 29-year-old English forward Raheem Sterling or Bayern Munich’s French winger Kingsley Coman, 28, having been approached about both in the final two days of the transfer window. (Independent)
Sterling has been linked with a move away from Chelsea after new manager Enzo Maresca left him out of the first team. Manchester United are favourite to sign the former Liverpool and Manchester City winger. (Chronicle NG)
Newcastle are set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of England defender Marc Guehi, 24, after growing tired of negotiating with Crystal Palace. (Sky Sports)
England and Brentford striker Ivan Toney, 28, is facing the prospect of being left in limbo with time running out on a mega transfer. (Mirror)
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli are optimistic of signing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, 25, dealing a blow to Chelsea’s hopes of signing the Nigeria striker. (Talksport)
Liverpool have rejected a cash plus player offer from Nottingham Forest for their 25-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Athletic – subscription required)
Chelsea are edging closer to a deal for England winger Jadon Sancho, 24, but have informed Manchester United of two conditions needed for them to take him off their hands. (Teamtalk)
Ipswich are considering a move for 26-year-old French striker Odsonne Edouard of Crystal Palace after a loan deal for Chelsea and Albania forward Armando Broja, 22, fell through. (Standard)
Chelsea have enquired about the availability of Benfica’s 22-year-old Portuguese defender Tomas Araujo. (Mirror)
Fulham will not sign Newcastle’s 30-year-old Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron. (Mail)
Fulham are exploring a late move to sign Lille and Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova, 25, before the transfer window closes. (Football Insider)
Ipswich’s English defender George Edmundson, 27, has emerged as an option to resolve Middlesbrough’s availability crisis at centre-back. (Yorkshire Post)
Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, 23, is now unlikely to move to Napoli this summer after new Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley was confirmed to have suffered a serious injury on the Dane’s debut. (Telegraph – subscription required)
Leeds United are the verge of signing Swiss full-back Isaac Schmidt, 24, from FC St Gallen. (Sky Sport Germany)
Hull have launched a new bid for Norwich City’s 21-year-old English winger Abu Kamara. (Eastern Daily Press)
Meanwhile, Hull are trying to sign Coventry’s Jamaica international playmaker Kasey Palmer, 27, before Friday night’s 11pm deadline. (Coventry Telegraph)
QPR are set to sign 22-year-old Scottish right-back Harrison Ashby on loan from Newcastle. (West London Sport)
