![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 delivered a sensational performance under the lights at the Emirates Stadium, cruising to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Declan Rice was the star of the show, scoring twice with stunning free-kicks as Mikel Arteta’s side made a bold statement on Europe’s biggest stage.
From the opening whistle, the Gunners showed intensity and purpose. William Saliba was heavily involved early on, making a crucial block on Vinícius Júnior but also taking a blow from Thomas Partey’s deflected header on the goal line.
Arsenal pressed forward with intent, but Raúl Asencio kept the visitors in the game, denying Rice and Partey in quick succession.
Real Madrid, despite their pedigree, struggled to find rhythm. Vinícius curled an effort wide and Kylian Mbappé was thwarted by a sharp save from David Raya.
At the other end, Bukayo Saka created danger with two dangerous deliveries across the box, but no one could apply the finishing touch.
Just before the hour mark, Arsenal’s persistence paid off. Saka was fouled just outside the box by David Alaba, and Rice stepped up to curl a superb free-kick around the wall, past Courtois, and into the net — his first-ever free-kick goal.
If his first was impressive, his second was jaw-dropping. Twelve minutes later, Rice struck again from a dead-ball situation, this time finding the top corner with unerring precision, sparking wild celebrations among the home crowd.
With Real on the ropes, Arsenal pushed for a third, and it came via 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who teed up Mikel Merino to slot home and seal a famous win. The night went from bad to worse for Madrid as Eduardo Camavinga was sent off late on for a second yellow card.
This emphatic win gives Arsenal a crucial advantage heading into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, despite their pedigree and history, face an uphill battle to overturn the deficit.
![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-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
