A Nigerian-born Catholic priest Anthony Odiong is facing five felony sexual assault charges in Texas, USA after multiple women testified against him.
UK Guardian reports that the indictments were handed down Thursday in the McLennan county, Texas, state courthouse.
Odiong, 55, who was first arrested in July, could get life imprisonment if convicted on any of the first-degree charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Police investigation revealed that Odiong position himself as a spiritual adviser to women grappling with difficulties in their personal lives – and then exploit his proximity to seek sexual contact with them. Detectives also found in his possession digital child abuse imagery.
He had remanded in prison since July 16, 2024 after being unable to meet his bail bond of $5.5m.
Odiong was ordained into the Catholic priesthood in the diocese of Uyo, Nigeria, in 1993. In 2006, the bishop of Austin, Texas, at the time – Gregory Aymond – invited Odiong to work there.
