![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?")
Teenage Japan gymnast Shoko Miyata has been withdrawn from Japan’s team for the Paris Olympics after being caught smoking and drinking, officials said Friday.
The 19-year-old, a global bronze medalist and the captain of Japan’s women’s gymnastics team at the Games, was sent home from their training camp in Monaco after admitting she had broken their code of conduct.
“With her confirmation and after discussions on all sides, it has been decided that she will withdraw from the Olympics,” Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) secretary general Kenji Nishimura told reporters in Tokyo.
Nishimura stated that the association had been informed that Miyata was seen smoking in a private setting in Tokyo around the end of June or early July.
She also apparently consumed alcohol in a room at Japan’s national training camp.
In Japan, both smoking and drinking are forbidden for anyone under the age of twenty.
According to Nishimura, it was unclear if Miyata was drinking alone or at a party.
“Being a member of the Japan national gymnastics team is a position where you have high demands on you all the time,” said JGA chairman Tadashi Fujita.
Fujita stated that Miyata had already returned to Japan after quitting the team’s training and that the JGA would support her. Nishimura claimed she “looked exhausted” at the camp in Monaco.
“She understands the importance of the rules, and she looked sincere in facing up to her behaviour,” he said.
“It has been tough for her, but she has talked openly and honestly about it.”
Miyata took bronze in the balance beam at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool. She earned the all-around title at the Japan National Championships earlier this year.
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
