Reverend Father, Anthony Odiong, a 57-year-old Nigerian-born clergyman, has been sentenced to life in prison in Waco, Texas. The verdict capped a disturbing trial that laid bare years of alleged abuse of power, trust, and faith.
Odiong, who served in dioceses across Texas and Louisiana, was found guilty on 29 May. He was charged with one count of first-degree felony sexual assault and two counts of second-degree felony sexual assault. According to prosecutors, he was a priest who used his spiritual authority to prey on vulnerable women who came to him for counselling, prayer, and support.
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Trail of Abuse
Women described turning to Odiong during times of emotional pain, spiritual doubt, or life struggles, only to find themselves manipulated into sexual encounters. According to the SNAP Network, graphic details and witness accounts of inappropriate behaviour spanning more than a decade were presented in court. There was even a presentation of DNA evidence linking him to fathering a child with a former congregant.
Texas law makes it a specific felony for clergy to engage in sexual conduct with those under their spiritual care. This law exists to recognise the distinct power imbalance in clergy-congregant relationships.
On 2 June 2026, the jury, comprising eight women and four men, deliberated for about two hours before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict on all counts, according to KCEN-TV. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on the first-degree charge, alongside concurrent 20-year sentences on the others, and $30,000 in fines. Odiong will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.
Final Strike After Previous Silent Warnings
Odiong’s troubles did not begin with his arrest in 2024. In 2019, the Diocese of Austin quietly suspended him over allegations of inappropriate conduct involving multiple women. As reported by The Guardian, this stripped him of his ministerial faculties in the Waco area. However, the suspension was never publicly disclosed, and Odiong continued serving in other dioceses.
He served as a pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Luling, Louisiana, until renewed scrutiny led to his removal in 2023. The revelation fueled concerns about how church authorities handled early warnings, allowing him to remain in ministry despite previous misconduct allegations.
Odiong was arrested on 16 July 2024 in Ave Maria, Florida, on charges of possessing child pornography, which was discovered during the sexual assault investigation. Taken into custody as a fugitive, he was extradited to Texas, where he remained jailed until his trial.
From Nigeria to the American Pulpit
Odiong, who was born in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, built a career ministering in the United States. He served in various parishes, including areas around Waco and Luling, Louisiana, where he was once associated with a healing chapel. Character witnesses during the trial spoke of a man who could be compassionate and rule-abiding, and they even advocated for probation. However, the jury ultimately saw him as a predator in priestly clothing.
According to OSV News, churches have issued statements distancing themselves from him, while some bulletins awkwardly called for prayers for the convicted priest without mentioning his victims. Diocesan leaders have assured parishioners that the sacraments administered by Odiong remain valid.
Odiong’s defence team had rejected a plea deal, leading to a full trial that exposed the extent of the allegations. More women reportedly came forward during the proceedings, suggesting the primary charges represented only a fraction of the harm caused.
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