WACO (TX)
MySA [San Antonio TX]
December 17, 2024
By Zachary-Taylor Wright
Former priest shot down a plea deal with parole Monday.
A Catholic priest with ties to West Texas, Austin and Louisiana failed to enter a plea with prosecutors before a Waco judge Monday, December 16. The disgraced religious leader is accused of sexually assaulting vulnerable members of his congregation.
In a news release issued by the Waco Police Department on July 16, former priest Anthony Odiong was arrested when child pornography was reportedly discovered in his possession during an investigation into accusations of sexual assault from former churchgoers under his spiritual advisement. According to reports from The Guardian, Odiong was set to plea guilty in exchange for a chance at parole after 20 years in prison.
Now, the once-priest is facing life behind bars, potentially without parole. In the months since they first announced Odiong’s arrest, Waco investigators uncovered at least eight alleged victims. Now, he’s facing several counts of sexual assault.
Odiong has an extensive career history with the Catholic church, having served as a priest in Austin, Waco, and Louisiana.
“As you may have heard, the Waco Police Department is leading the investigation of multiple allegations against [Father] Odiong,” a statement of the Catholic Bishop of Austin Joe S. Vásquez reads. “This news is disturbing and truly sad. The Diocese of Austin will fully cooperate with local law enforcement as they investigate these allegations.”
As of December 16, Odiong remains in a Waco jail, where he has been since his initial arrest back in July. Court records for the 19th state District Court, in McLennan County, shows Odiong was set to enter a guilty plea Monday, but he seemingly reneged on the deal as he’s set to back before the judge for a general hearing on Thursday, December 19.
According to published reports, Odiong was deemed a flight risk shortly after his arrest nearly six months ago. Odiong’s arrest warrant shows he received a phone call in jail shortly after being arrested in Florida, and his supporters reportedly told him that his bail money would be posted regardless of the cost. The warrant reportedly goes on to express concern that his supporters could help facilitate his flight from the country, should he be bailed out, as Odiong holds both an American and Nigerian passport.
A report from Catholic News Agency says Odiong was removed from his parish in New Orleans after he made controversial statements from the pulpit. He reportedly claimed, among other problematic statements, that the Catholic Church “was being taken over by ‘the gays.’”
In Texas, Odiong served at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin, Church of the Assumption in West, and St. Peter Catholic Student Center in Waco.
“As your bishop and spiritual father, I express my concern for you as news of this nature can be very difficult to receive,” Bishop Vásquez’s statement from July states. “I also express my steadfast commitment to our Ethics and Integrity in Ministry program of the Diocese of Austin by which we seek to end abuse and provide healing to those who have been harmed.”