WACO (TX)
WBBH - NBC 2 [Fort Myers FL]
July 26, 2024
By Samantha Serbin
A 55-year-old priest remains in the Collier County Jail as Texas officials work on extraditing him for multiple sex crimes.
U.S. Marshals arrested Father Anthony Odiong last week for child porn charges based in Waco, Texas.
We now know Waco Police are charging Odiong with two counts of sexual assault. WPD reports eight victims have come forward so far.
One victim shared an anonymous statement following the sexual assault charges:
“I sought spiritual direction from Anthony Odiong during one of the darkest phases of my life. Rather than helping me, he exploited my vulnerability and trust. He manipulated, coerced, threatened, and assaulted me and the Austin diocese did nothing to protect me, despite having received at least one previous report about his conduct. My marriage and relationship with my children, my physical and psychological health, and, most importantly, my relationship with God have suffered badly for over a decade as a direct result of his abuse. I am heartbroken to learn that I am only one of many women who has endured his abuse. I am grateful, however, to live in a state that recognizes what he did as the serious crime that it is. “
That victim, and another, are pursuing civil action against the 55-year-old. Attorney Christopher King said, “These victims need to seek out whatever path is going to bring them to the most healing.”
King said as they wait for Odiong to be brought to McLennan County, Texas, he knows one charge has a $1,000,000 bond. He believes the two additional charges will be the same.
“What we are most worried about now is that he and his charismatic nature, and the claims of gifts of healing, he’s collected a following around him. Some of which who are apparently wealthy individuals. We’re worried that they may attempt to bond him out and to get him out of the country. Get him to somewhere that he wouldn’t be able to be extradited, such that he would be put to justice here in the States,” King said. “That’s what it would be if he were to bond out. We would expect him to just immediately run and maybe never be seen again.”
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.
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.”
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.