A Nigerian Catholic priest based in the United States, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas for sexually assaulting women who sought his spiritual guidance. The 57-year-old cleric was found guilty of 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, May 29, by a jury composed of eight women and four men after approximately two hours of deliberation. During the trial, two women testified that the priest used his position and influence as a spiritual leader to manipulate them into sexual relationships.
Prosecutors argued that Odiong exploited his role as a Catholic priest to pursue sexual relationships with women he was counseling and guiding spiritually. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the priest could face life imprisonment on the first-degree sexual assault conviction when sentencing proceedings begin on Monday, June 1.
One of the victims, identified in court documents as Mary Doe, testified that the priest entered into a sexual relationship with her while providing spiritual counseling during a difficult period in her divorce. She further told the court that her son once walked in on her and Odiong during sexual intercourse at her residence.
Another victim, identified as Jane Doe, testified that the priest pressured her into sexual acts while presenting them as part of spiritual guidance. Prosecutors also told the court that DNA tests showed Father Odiong fathered one child with another woman in Louisiana who had been under his spiritual direction.
Odiong, a naturalized American citizen, was ordained as a Catholic priest in Nigeria in 1993 before later serving in parishes across Texas and Louisiana. During the trial, defense lawyers argued that the relationships were consensual. However, prosecutors maintained that the priest abused the authority and trust associated with his position as a member of the clergy.
