Fr. Anthony Odiong
Priest of the Diocese of Uyo, Nigeria. Arrested 7/16/2024 in Ave Maria, FL, where he was living. Charged with possession of child abuse images, of little girls. Odiong was being investigated by law enforcement in Waco, TX after a woman reported in 3/2024 that he sexually assaulted her in 2012. A civil lawsuit was filed against the Diocese of Austin and Odiong. Odiong is the subject of complaints from multiple women, two from his time as director of campus ministry at St. Peter Catholic Student Center at Baylor University in Waco, where he was assigned 2007-2015. He was also assigned 2007-2012 to St. Mary of the Assumption in West TX. Barred from ministry in 2019 by the Diocese of Austin. The Archdiocese of New Orleans was informed; Odiong continued ministry there, at a Luling LA parish, until his dismissal in 12/2023. The bishop from his home diocese in Nigeria ordered his return; Odiong did not comply. He denied all allegations. On 7/18/2024 Odiong was charged by Waco police with two counts of sexual assault. Eight women had come forward with allegations against him. Indicted on those charges in 9/2024. Child pornography charge were pending. Four more charges were filed 9/26/2024 for a total of 7, with 10 alleged victims identified. In 11/2024 it was reported that Odiong had allegedly fathered at least two children with his victims; DNA evidence showed that one of the children was born within the year. Two additional alleged victims were identified on 11/26/2024.
- The Guardian 12.07.23
- St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office 12.08.23
- The Guardian 02.22.24
- The Guardian 07.16.24
- KWTX 07.16.24
- Waco Tribune-Herald 07.17.24
- WWL 07.16.24
- NOLA.com 07.16.24
- WBBH 07.17.24
- WDSU 07.16.24
- KXXV 07.16.24
- The Guardian 07.18.24
- Star Local Media 07.19.24
- WACO 07.19.24
- WWLTV 07.19.24
- WBBH 07.26.24
- KWTX 08.06.24
- Catholic News Agency 08.08.24
- KWTX 09.12.24
- KXXV 09.13.24
- The Guardian 09.15.24
- New York Times 09.15.24
- Baylor Lariat 09.27.24
- KXXV 09.27.24
- The Legal Herald 10.08.24
- The Guardian 11.26.24
- KCEN 11.26.24
- KWTX 11.26.24
Sources:
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