U.S. court convicts Nigerian Catholic priest Anthony Odiong of sexual assault, faces life imprisonment

A jury has convicted Nigerian Catholic priest Anthony Odiong of sexual assault and using his clerical status to sexually exploit women.
The cleric now risks life imprisonment under Texas law.
The UK Guardian on Saturday reported that, “Eight women and four men found Anthony Odiong, 57, guilty of one charge of sexual assault in the first degree and two such counts in the second degree involving two women, each of whom testified during a trial that began with jury selection on Tuesday in Waco.”
Mr Odiong risks life imprisonment on the first-degree charge and another two to 20 years in prison for the second-degree charges, with sentencing scheduled to begin Monday.
Investigations into Mr Odiong’s sexual assault and exploitation of women began after The Guardian reported women’s accusations against the priest.
When sentenced, Mr Odiong becomes the second priest who served Luling’s St Anthony of Padua to be convicted and jailed for a sexual assault-related crime in two years.
Retired Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker, 93, who pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and raping a boy in 1975 at a New Orleans church, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Bauchi resident nabbed for murder
The police command in Bauchi has arrested Clement Anthony, 40, for fatally shooting Jacob Bature in the Unguwar Ngas area of Inkil.

States
Two killed in Abeokuta road crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps says two persons died in a road crash involving a Lexus car and a motorcycle at the Leme area of Abeokuta.

Abuja
Tinubu’s wife condemns Nigerians’ disinterest in RHI Green Nigeria Community challenge
Mrs Tinubu urged Nigerians to participate in the second phase of the programme before it officially closes by December 20.

Economy
Federal civil servants say wage award delay worsening economic hardship
Civil servants have urged the federal government to immediately pay the outstanding two months of the N35,000 wage award.

World
President Ortega bans elections in Nicaragua after 20 years in power
Mr Ortega has been Nicaragua’s president since 2007. His previous presidential term was from 1985 to 1990.






