VENICE (FL)
WBBH - NBC 2 [Fort Myers FL]
July 17, 2024
By Zach Scott
AVE MARIA, Fla. — The U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, along with Collier County deputies, arrested a former Texas priest in Ave Maria Tuesday for possession of child pornography.
Father Anthony Odiong, 55, is also the subject of a sexual assault investigation.
In March 2024, police in Waco, Texas, report a woman came forward to tell them about a sexual assault that occurred in 2012. It was during this investigation that detectives found the child pornography leading to Odiong’s arrest warrant.
People living in Ave Maria’s Silverwood community witnessed Odiong’s arrest. Many neighbors reported not knowing the man well.
“Sexual abuse? That’s horrible,” Grygoriy Averchenko said. “And that’s like, I would never expect that to be living in the community.”
“I went outside, stepped outside and saw four police officers around in the side of his house. One police officer with an AR pointed out the window and probably like seven or eight other cop cars there,” Cameron Barford explained.
“It just goes to show it’s like you don’t really know who’s around you,” Eric Bain added.
Odiong served as a Catholic priest at St. Peter’s Catholic Student Center in Waco, Texas, as well as St. Mary’s of the Assumption in West Texas, from 2007 to 2012. He then served in Luling, Louisiana, between 2015 and 2023.
Detective Bradley Delay, of the Waco Police Department, said during his investigation, multiple other victims came forward with stories similar to that of the initial reporter.
“[She] was victimized from his sexual advances that just continued to get worse and worse over time,” attorney Christopher King said. King is representing one victim in a civil lawsuit aimed at holding Odiong and the Diocese of Austin responsible.
King said they are including the Diocese because they believe initial allegations were not taken seriously enough. As more victims come forward, King said his client feels a double-edged sword.
“The first thing is sadness and just seeing the extent, you know, the evil of one man, what that can do in the world,” he said. “But [that’s] also paired with solidarity. When one person steps forward, that can be scary, and goodness to step into the public light in such a vulnerable and exposed way can certainly be difficult. The more people that you’re banded with arm in arm and the easier that can be.”
Victims said survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault to groping and financial abuse.
Waco officers now believe there are more survivors and are asking to speak to anyone who may have had similar encounters with Odiong.
“To those survivors who I’ve already spoken to, I applaud your courage amidst having to relive your unspeakable experience. To the women and survivors who may be watching this announcement. I want to speak to you now. We are committed to the pursuit of justice. And I want you to know that you can come forward without any risk of being publicly identified,” Delay said. “Respect for your experience is our highest priority. You will not be required to go to court if you don’t prefer to do so. Nor will your name be made public if you have been victimized by Anthony Odiong anywhere within the United States. I need to hear from you. You are not alone and you do not have to continue to live with the trauma of this experience by yourself.”
Melanie Sakoda, of the Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests, agrees there are likely many more victims. She estimated close to 50 because of the multiple parishes and cities where the father worked.
“False allegations of sexual abuse are extremely rare. You know, and when you get more than one allegation, it’s even less likely to be a false allegation,” Sakoda said. “This is a widespread problem.”
Sakoda said she hopes leaders within the Catholic Church will use this as an opportunity to encourage victims anywhere to come forward.
“A lot of people, particularly those that are really faithful members of the church, they may need the permission of the Bishop because otherwise they feel like they’re going to damage the church,” she said.
“It can be very easy in that situation to not even know that you were a victim when you were under someone’s spiritual guidance and leadership,” King explained. “Then it begins to be manipulated and turns to a certain way that can happen without you even knowing you can be the frog in the pot. Our office has met with victims before and that maybe at the beginning still did not know.”
The Diocese of Venice confirmed Odiong did not serve in Southwest Florida, saying:
“Father Anthony Odiong has no association with the Diocese of Venice. He has never been granted permission to celebrate Mass within the Diocese, nor was he ever given faculties to function as a priest here in any way. We were not aware of Father Odiong’s presence in Ave Maria, Florida until today.”
The Diocese of Austin issued the following statement to NBC2 regarding Odiong’s arrest and allegations.
“In 2019, the Diocese of Austin sent written communication to Fr. Odiong confirming that he did not have authorization to engage in priestly ministry in the Diocese of Austin, even on a temporary basis. This determination was based on complaints that the diocese had received regarding Fr. Odiong’s behavior with adult women, as well as his failure to follow the protocol for visiting clergy to present a testimonial of suitability for ministry from his Bishop. That written communication was also sent to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and to his own Bishop in Uyo. Upon receiving ongoing reports of Fr. Odiong’s presence and attempts to exercise priestly ministry in the Diocese of Austin, follow-up communication of the same nature was given at St. Peter and St. Mary, both in December of 2023 and February of 2024.
We reiterate our sadness regarding this painful situation and continue to ask for God’s healing grace upon all involved.”
Father Odiong faced a judge for the first time in Collier County Thursday. A judge ruled that the accused child predator would be held at no bond as a fugitive of justice. Odiong also voluntarily waived his right to extradition, giving Texas police the authority to return him to Waco for criminal trial.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office said there is no evidence or indication of any alleged victims in the area.
WPD detectives say you can reach them directly if you are a victim of Odiong at 254-750-7609. CCSO can be contacted at 239-252-9300.
Anyone victimized by a member of the clergy can find resources here.
This is an ongoing investigation. You can count on NBC2 to provide updates as they are received.