Nigerian-Born Catholic Priest Convicted Of Sexual Assault In Texas

A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a Texas jury for sexually assaulting women under his spiritual care.

According to The Guardian, Odiong, 57, was found guilty on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault following a trial in Waco, Texas. The verdict was delivered on Friday by a jury comprising eight women and four men after about two hours of deliberation.

Prosecutors said the priest exploited his position of trust and authority to manipulate vulnerable women seeking spiritual guidance, using his role as a clergy member to initiate and sustain sexual relationships.

During the trial, two women testified that Odiong abused his influence over them during periods of emotional distress.

One of the victims, identified in court records as Mary Doe, told jurors that the priest began a sexual relationship with her while counselling her through a difficult divorce. She also recounted that her son once walked in on her and Odiong having sex at her home.

A second complainant, Jane Doe, testified that the priest pressured her into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual guidance.

Although Odiong pleaded not guilty, his defence team argued that the relationships were consensual. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the women were not in a position to freely consent due to the power imbalance created by his role as their spiritual adviser.

The case gained wider attention following a 2024 Guardian investigation that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion against Odiong during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana. Prosecutors said the report prompted one of the victims to approach law enforcement with additional claims.

Subsequent investigations reportedly uncovered further evidence, including DNA linking Odiong to a child he allegedly fathered while serving in Louisiana.

Ordained in Nigeria in 1993, Odiong later became a naturalised United States citizen and served in several Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana. Church authorities suspended him from ministry in 2019 following earlier allegations of misconduct.

He now faces the possibility of life imprisonment on the first-degree sexual assault conviction. Sentencing is scheduled to begin on Monday.