![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")
Substitute Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal thumped Paris St-Germain 5-1 in Singapore.
Lacazette flicked in a finish from Emile Smith-Rowe’s cross and headed home his second in the friendly.
Mesut Ozil, who quit international football after the World Cup, captained the Gunners and stroked in the opener, while Rob Holding headed in the fourth and Eddie Nketiah scored the fifth.
Christopher Nkunku had briefly levelled for PSG with a second-half penalty.
The spot-kick was awarded after Sead Kolasinac tripped Timothy Weah in the box, but Arsenal ran away with the game thereafter.
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New Gunners manager Unai Emery had said he wants “five captains” in his team this season and handed the armband to midfielder Ozil on this occasion.
Ozil cited “racism and disrespect” over his Turkish roots in his decision to call time on his Germany career but repaid his club manager’s faith by converting from Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s cutback.
Ozil was one of five players replaced just after the hour mark, and two of those coming on – French striker Lacazette and English defender Holding – both found the net, as did Nketiah with a cool strike late on.
Lacazette said: “This can give us some confidence and we need this after last season and we are happy after scoring five goals today.”
Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon started the game for Ligue 1 champions PSG after joining in the summer from Serie A winners Juventus, and the 40-year-old reacted sharply to deny Alex Iwobi and Aubameyang.
Arsenal will continue their pre-season campaign against London rivals Chelsea in Dublin on Wednesday.
