A Nigerian-born Catholic Priest, Anthony Odiong, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Texas, United States of America (USA), for sexually assaulting women under his spiritual care.
Penpushing reports that the convict a naturalised United States of America (USA) citizen, was ordained in Nigeria in 1993 and later served in Catholic parishes in Texas and Louisiana, two neighbouring America states
The Catholic Priest was earlier convicted by a jury on May 29, in Texas after he was found guilty on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault after a trial in Waco, Texas.
Penpushing further reports that Odiong was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday after some witnesses testified against him, while some character witnesses on behalf of the cleric had appealed for him to receive probation, explaining that the convict could follow the rules of such an arrangement – such as living near Waco and not committing additional crimes.
The jury, however, declined and instead asked Odiong to plead guilty in exchange for 20 years’ imprisonment, which he rejected, and the jury delivering judgement, which was made up of eight women and four men, handed Odiong 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts of second-degree sexual assault.
Penpushing also reports that the jury equally sentenced him to life imprisonment on one count of first-degree sexual assault and fined him $10,000 on each of the three counts, for a total of $30,000.
The court, however, ruled that the three sentences would run concurrently, and that the clergyman will be eligible for parole after 30 years in prison, however, his lawyer Gerald Villarial, on Tuesday told journalists that he would seek an appeal.
Penpushing reports that of the three counts for which Odiong was convicted and now sentenced, two of the counts (second-degree sexual assault) involved two women, each of whom testified when the trial began in May.
The two women – Mary Doe and Jane Doe – said the catholic priest used his role as a priest to manipulate and pressure them into sexual relationships, and Mary in her own account, told the jury that Odiong began a sexual relationship with her while providing spiritual counselling during a difficult divorce.
Penpushing further reports that she testified that her son once walked in on her and Odiong during a sexual intercourse at her home, and Jane on her part told the jury that Odiong pressured her into sexual acts under the pretext of spiritual guidance.
The prosecutors told the jury that Odiong abused his clerical authority during periods of “emotional vulnerability, but the priest pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his lawyers argued during the trial that the relationships with the women were consensual.
Penpushing also reports that the prosecutors maintained that he abused his position of authority as a clergy member, while record has it that the convict had initially been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a third woman.
The prosecutors, Ryan Calvert and Liz Buice, dismissed that aspect of the case after the woman, said to be in an “extremely emotionally fragile” state, failed to show up to her expected appearance on the witness stand.
Penpushing reports that the prosecution opted against essentially tracking her down to ensure she appeared in court because of what they termed her “extremely tenuous” emotional condition.
The trial began after a 2024 which first documented allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion against the priest during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana, and prosecutors said that the report prompted one of the victims to come forward to police with further allegations.
Penpushing further reports that investigators later gathered additional evidence, including DNA linked to a child reportedly fathered by Odiong during his time in Louisiana, while the authorities said the cleric was suspended from the ministry in 2019 following earlier allegations of misconduct.
Meanwhile, the jailed cleric was originally from Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, where he was ordained in 1993 and later served in Catholic parishes in Texas and Louisiana, two neighbouring states in United States of America (US).
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
