Texas jury finds Anthony Odiong guilty of multiple sexual assault charges after victims recount abuse of clerical authority during counselling

A Nigerian-born Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted in the United States for sexually exploiting women who were under his spiritual guidance.

A jury in Waco, Texas, found the 57-year-old cleric guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault after a brief deliberation lasting about two hours.

During the trial, the court heard testimonies from two women who accused Odiong of abusing his position as a priest to manipulate them into sexual relationships while offering spiritual counselling. Prosecutors argued that the priest targeted the women during periods of emotional vulnerability, using his authority to coerce them.

One of the victims, identified as Mary Doe, told the court that Odiong initiated a sexual relationship with her while she was going through a difficult divorce and seeking spiritual support. She also recounted an incident where her son unexpectedly walked in on them at her home.

Another victim, referred to as Jane Doe, testified that the priest pressured her into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual direction.

Odiong, who denied the allegations and maintained that the relationships were consensual, now faces the possibility of life imprisonment on the first-degree charge. Sentencing proceedings are scheduled to begin on Monday.

The case gained momentum following a 2024 investigative report that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion linked to Odiong’s ministry in Texas and Louisiana. That report prompted one of the victims to report the matter to law enforcement, leading to further investigations.

Authorities later uncovered additional evidence, including DNA linking Odiong to a child reportedly fathered during his time serving in Louisiana.

Ordained in Nigeria in 1993, Odiong later became a naturalised US citizen and served in several Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana. He was suspended from ministry in 2019 after earlier allegations of misconduct surfaced.