![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")
Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out the prospect of taking over at Bayern Munich amid speculation linking him to the vacant manager’s job at the Bundesliga club.
The former Arsenal boss has emerged as a contender for the role after Bayern sacked Niko Kovac at the weekend.
Ralf Rangnick has turned down the chance to speak with Bayern, while Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel has also said he is not interested.
Asked whether he would be interested in the Bayern Munich job, Wenger told beIN Sports: “Of course. Coaching was my whole life until now.
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“Everybody who has coached will tell you the same. You miss the intensity but some things you miss a lot, some things you don’t miss. I enjoyed the things I don’t miss too much.
“But on the other hand, football games, winning football games, preparing the team for the game, and getting satisfaction and shared emotions. That is something that you miss.”
Elsewhere, Rangnick, who is head of sport and development at Red Bull, has turned down the chance to speak with Bayern about the vacancy.
The 61-year-old’s agent, Marc Kosicke, has revealed that Rangnick is not interested in taking over at the Allianz Arena.
“No, Ralf Rangnick is not available,” Kosicke told Bild.
“We do not believe that what Ralf Rangnick brings is currently being sought after by Bayern. And that’s why it makes no sense to hold concrete talks.”
Sky in Germany reported on Tuesday that PSG boss Tuchel had been contacted by Bayern Munich.
However, speaking ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday, the 46-year-old said he has no interest in a move to Bavaria.
“No I am not interested because I am the coach of PSG, for this season I am still in contract, you need to fact check, and the contract is still for next year so I don’t even think about it,” he said.
Rangnick has previously had spells in charge of Hoffenheim, Schalke and RB Leipzig.
