![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?")
Mauricio Pochettino is set to sign a three-year deal to become Chelsea’s new head coach. (Telegraph)
Pochettino’s arrival at Stamford Bridge is coming too late to save contract negotiations with England midfielder Mason Mount, 24. (Sun)
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is expecting Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo, 21, and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, 24, to leave the club this summer. (Metro)
Dutch striker Wout Weghorst will hold talks with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany once his loan spell ends at Manchester United. (Sun)
Manchester United are back in the hunt for midfielder Adrien Rabiot as the 28-year-old Frenchman approaches the end of his contract at Juventus. (L’Equipe – in French)
Real Madrid remain interested in signing French striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain but will not pay a transfer fee for the 24-year-old. (Marca- in Spanish)
Crystal Palace are interested in signing Lyon’s French striker Moussa Dembele, 26, this summer. (Football Insider)
Manchester United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign RB Leipzig’s 23-year-old French defender Mohamed Simakan. (Fichajes – in Spanish)
AC Milan remain keen to keep Real Madrid’s on-loan Spanish midfielder Brahim Diaz, 23, at the club next season. (Calciomercato)
Thiago Silva’s wife Belle has confirmed that the 38-year-old Brazilian defender intends to stay at Chelsea next season. (Evening Standard)
Paris St-Germain are set to make their loan deal for French striker Hugo Ekitike, 20, permanent but Eintracht Frankfurt remain interested in the player. (L’Equipe – in French)
Spain midfielder Gavi, 18, has denied links with a move to the Premier League and says Barcelona are “the club of his dreams”. (Barca TV via Fabrizio Romano)
Real Madrid want to sign 24-year-old Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen. (Fichajes – in Spanish)
