![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")
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Leicester City‘s 21-year-old French centre-back Wesley Fofana, with the fee believed to be £70m. (The Athletic – subscription required)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s representative Jorge Mendes has approached Napoli over a potential move for the Manchester United and Portugal forward, 37. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United are weighing up whether to walk away from their protracted pursuit of Antony after Ajax rejected a third bid of £76m for the unsettled Brazil forward. (Telegraph)
The 22-year-old has begged the Dutch club to let him move to Manchester United before the transfer window closes on Thursday. (Fabrizio Romano via Sun)
Liverpool could offer Brazil forward Roberto Firmino, 30, in exchange for Paris St-Germain and Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, 28. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Chelsea’s pursuit of Barcelona and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stalled over personal terms with the player wanting a two-year deal while the Blues are only prepared to offer a one-year contract. (Sun)
Leicester are considering a loan move for Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji, 27, as a replacement for Chelsea target Fofana. (Mail)
But Manchester United have made another approach for 33-year-old Aubameyang. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
Chelsea are close to signing Russia midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, 19, from Dynamo Moscow. (Mail)
Nottingham Forest have made an approach to Everton to sign England defender Michael Keane, 29, on loan. (Football Insider)
West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta after the French club rejected their first two bids for the 24-year-old Brazil international. (Sky Sports)
Celta Vigo have submitted an offer for Blackburn Rovers’ Chile forward and Everton target Ben Brereton Diaz, 23. (Football Insider)
Celtic and Denmark Under-21 midfielder Matt O’Riley, 21, is attracting attention from Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United. (ESPN)
