Anthony Odiong, a 57-year-old Nigerian-born Catholic priest, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting women who sought his spiritual guidance while he served in Texas. A jury in Waco convicted him on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault after about two hours of deliberation.
The twelve-member jury, made up of eight women and four men, heard testimony from two women who said Odiong used his position as a priest to manipulate them into sexual relationships. One victim, identified as Mary Doe in court documents, told jurors that the priest initiated sexual contact with her while she was receiving counselling during a divorce. She testified that her son once discovered her and Odiong engaged in sexual activity inside her home.
The second woman, Jane Doe, alleged that Odiong pressured her into sexual acts while framing the encounters as part of his spiritual guidance. Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that the priest exploited the emotional vulnerability of women who trusted him as a religious figure.
Odiong denied all charges against him. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence, with the possibility of life imprisonment on the first-degree conviction. Sentencing proceedings begin on Monday, and the judge will determine his punishment based on the jury's guilty verdict.
The case emerged after a 2024 investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving Odiong during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana. That investigation prompted one of the victims to come forward with additional claims to law enforcement. Investigators later uncovered DNA evidence allegedly linking Odiong to a child fathered during his time serving in Louisiana.
Odiong was ordained a Catholic priest in Nigeria in 1993 before moving to the United States and becoming a naturalised citizen. He served at several Catholic parishes across Texas and Louisiana during his ministry. The conviction marks the conclusion of a trial that exposed how a trusted spiritual leader betrayed the confidence of vulnerable women seeking his guidance.
