WACO (TX)
KCENTV 6 [Waco, TX]
November 26, 2024
By Jacob Wallin, 6 News Digital (6News), Melissa Guz
New DNA evidence presented in court Tuesday revealed that former Waco Catholic priest Anthony Odiong is the biological father of a child conceived through an alleged sexual assault, according to the Waco Police Department.
The findings, described “with a certainty of [more than] 99.99%” by laboratory analysis, were presented at Odiong’s bond hearing in Waco where prosecutors also revealed that the child was born within the past year.
Odiong, 55, faces three McLennan County grand jury indictments for sex assault – one first-degree charge and two second-degree charges – and one pending potential indictment of possession of child porn, according to Waco PD. The Guardian, which has been following this case since February, said he faces a total of five charges of sex assault in the first degree and two more in the second degree in connection to three separate women.
Lead investigator on the case, Detective Bradley DeLange, testified Tuesday that at least nine victims were confirmed across the U.S. and abroad. He said there may be two more victims with one of the individuals coming forward that morning.
Odiong requested his bond be reduced, but the request was denied because he reportedly communicated plans of fleeing to Nigeria if he were released, according to prosecutors and DeLange. His bond remains set at $5.5 million.
Odiong could receive up to life in prison if he’s convicted of any of the first-degree charges while the second-degree charges could each carry 20 years in prison in Texas.
Arrest and Allegations
Odiong was arrested in July in Ave Maria, Fla. when investigators allegedly found child porn in his possession while looking into sex assault claims reported to police. He was later extradited to McLennan County. The lead investigator on the case, Detective Bradley DeLange, told the New York Times that though he wasn’t indicted then on possession of child porn, he could be in the future.
Odiong’s arrest also followed The Guardian’s February report, which detailed allegations made against Odiong by multiple women. They accused him of sexual coercion, unwelcomed touching and financial abuse during his time as a Catholic clergyman.
From 2006 to 2012, Odiong reportedly served as a priest in West, Texas at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption, as well as St. Peter’s Catholic Student Center. Police say he also served in Luling, Louisiana from around 2015 to 2023.
Authorities have since identified nine survivors of Odiong’s alleged abuse and confirmed he fathered at least two children as a result of the assaults, police said. Investigators say there may be more children yet to be confirmed.
The defense called in four witnesses to the hearing who all said Odiong is like family to them.
One man testified he would be willing to help contribute money to reduce the bond by paying $25,000.
Callahan & King, Waco Attorneys, speak on hearing
6 News spoke with Robert Callahan and Christopher King, the partners representing some of the victims in this investigation.
“Bond is an important step in the process both criminally and making sure that the victims get justice on the civil end too,” Callahan told 6 News. “We’re very ecstatic that the judge did deny the bond request. [Odoing] is going to be staying in jail at $5.5 million bond. I think that sends a powerful message as to what this conduct has done to the community.”
“Importantly, as well, our clients have still opted to remain anonymous,” King added. “They’re deprived of their ability to be present in that courtroom without being further victimized. By us being there, we can help for them to have a little bit of a presence and an eyes in on what’s happening in their criminal cases.”
6 News reporter Sydney Dishon asked the attorneys their thoughts about the testimony from witnesses called by the defense.
“If you just don’t have the information, then you’re not informed, and so therefore you can find yourself in the position of advocating for someone who otherwise shouldn’t receive your advocacy,” Callahan said.
“This is someone’s priest who was committing these crimes and it’s very hard to be in that position and to just all of a sudden see them in a completely different light and that just points to how heinous the situation is,” King told 6 News.
“I think the most important thing for us to share with the community is that we know that there are people out there that have not come forward and we want to encourage them to, to know that there’s strength in numbers and that as each person comes forward, they add another piece to this puzzle and the mosaic begins to take shape,” Callahan added.
Ongoing investigations
In addition to the sexual assault and potential child pornography charges, Waco police announced they are looking into Odiong’s alleged financial crimes as well.
Waco PD is also still asking any survivors to come forward. Survivors can contact Waco Police Department Detective Bradley DeLange at 254-750-7500.
“The Waco Police Department stands ready to assist survivors, no matter where they may be,” the department said in a release.