![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
A delicious Kai Havertz strike earned Chelsea a battling 2-1 victory at Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday as they clinched a spot in the Champions League round of 16.
Chelsea put on a dazzling display in the first half, taking the lead in the 23rd minute through Mateo Kovacic’s instinctive left-foot finish from 20 metres, but they wasted several chances to double their advantage before the interval.
The Premier League side were made to pay for their profligacy early in the second half as Junior Adamu prodded home the equaliser, only for Havertz to restore Chelsea’s lead with a superb curled strike into the top corner in the 64th minute.
Salzburg rallied late on but found keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in fine form, helping the Blues see out the win that moves them four points clear of second-placed Salzburg in Group E and six ahead of AC Milan and Dinamo Zagreb, who meet later on Tuesday.
“It’s not easy to create chances against this team but we did, we created good chances from good play,” Chelsea coach Graham Potter said.
“We’ve had a lot of games and disruption in terms of key players missing but they (the team) have responded really well and to go through in the Champions League, it’s a fantastic effort. We will take steps, tonight was one of those.”
Despite Salzburg never having beaten English opposition in Europe, Chelsea’s task coming into the match looked formidable with the Austrians on a 40-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
However, Kovacic’s fine finish from the edge of the penalty area, after Havertz was dispossessed, settled the away team’s nerves.
Chelsea should have capitalised further on their first-half domination but two superb saves from goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to thwart Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, kept the hosts in the game.
Salzburg looked like a different team after the break, and levelled through Adamu three minutes into the second half, with the forward slotting home after a sweeping move.
The 2021 Champions League winners remained undeterred, with Jorginho’s header cleared off the line before Havertz picked up Christian Pulisic’s pass to settle the contest in style. It was his first goal from outside the penalty area for Chelsea.
Despite having to endure late Salzburg pressure, Chelsea deserved the win that continues their renaissance under new coach Potter.
The victory meant Potter became the second Englishman to go undefeated in his first nine games as Chelsea manager after William Lewis in 1906-07.
“In the end the (team with) better quality have won,” Kohn told Sky Austria. “Such a goal he (Havertz) doesn’t score every day, I have to congratulate him for that. It’s a little bit annoying, we would have liked to get a point.”
