WACO (TX)
Nola.com [New Orleans, LA]
July 19, 2024
By Poet Wolfe
Former Luling priest Rev. Anthony Odiong has been charged with two counts of sexual assault after his arrest in Florida on counts of possessing child pornography, according to authorities.
A total of eight victims have been identified, Waco Police Department announced late Thursday evening, and authorities are continuing to search for additional victims.
In March of 2023, an unidentified victim reported Odiong to Waco, Texas, police for an alleged sexual assault that took place in 2012.
After further investigation, detectives were given permission by a judge to search through Odiong’s iCloud storage data, where they found images depicting sexual abuse of a child, according to The Guardian. The case of possession of child pornography led to the Tuesday arrest on a Texas warrant in Ave Maria, Florida.
Odiong was booked in Collier County Jail while he awaits extradition.
Authorities believe that there could be more victims within McLennan County, Texas, and other areas of the United States. Waco police ensured that survivors who come forward about information relating to Odiong will not be required to go to court, nor will their names be made public.
Removed by archdiocese
In December of 2023, Odiong was removed by the Archdiocese of New Orleans from Luling’s St. Anthony of Padua Church, shortly after making anti-LGBTQ remarks during a November mass.
Officials said at the time that the abrupt removal did not involve the abuse of minors or members of the church. At the time, an unidentified woman who knew him since 2007 accused him of sexual and financial abuse.
Her claim was referred to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office by the archdiocese, after she said one of the instances happened in St. Charles. That encounter in 2019 appeared to be consensual, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Odiong went on to deny the allegations in a Facebook post in April of this year.
The priest wrote that the woman’s allegations were “false and defamatory,” and accused her of retaliation. He added that he would pursue all legal remedies to “clear his name,” while continuing to serve God’s people.
People believed to be victimized by Odiong are encouraged to call Detective Bradley DeLange at 254 750-7609.