SHOCKER! Nigerian Catholic Priest Gets Arrested, Accused Of Sexual Assault, Child Porn; SEE Details
Anthony Odiong, a Roman Catholic priest with ties to Texas and Louisiana, is facing major criminal accusations after allegedly abusing his position of responsibility within the church to pursue sexual relationships with vulnerable women in his care.
According to the source, prosecutors allege Odiong fathered at least two children with these women during his priesthood, which lasted decades.
During a bond hearing on Tuesday in Waco, Texas, prosecutors presented evidence that Odiong, 55, engaged in sexual misconduct with several women to whom he ministered.
He is currently held on a $5. 5 million bail, which he sought to have reduced. However, the judge denied his request after prosecutors argued that Odiong had communicated plans to flee to his native Nigeria if released.
During the trial, prosecutors presented a thorough picture of Odiong’ s alleged conduct, depicting a parallel existence in which he manipulated women under the guise of spiritual assistance.
They stressed that Odiong’ s fathering of children violates his priestly vows, which require Catholic priests to be celibate.
The DNA evidence provided at the hearing revealed a 99. 99% possibility that Odiong fathered one child with the lady he allegedly assaulted.
Detective Bradley DeLange, who is investigating Odiong, stated that Odiong and the woman had sexual contact as recently as last year and faced a pregnancy scare in June.
A second kid reportedly fathered by Odiong was also mentioned throughout the hearing. The child, who is purportedly a minor, is believed to live in Nigeria. Both children were born while Odiong was serving as a priest, which he has done since the 1990s, including assignments in Austin, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Odiong faces five first- degree and two second- degree sexual assault allegations stemming from three women.
Authorities have identified at least nine alleged victims in the United States and abroad, with two new incidents reported as recently as this week.
While the allegations do not expressly name Odiong’ s children’ s mothers, prosecutors claim that the timing of their births is crucial because it coincides with the alleged assaults. Odiong faces life in prison if he is convicted of any first- degree offenses.
