Nigerian priest sentenced to life in prison in the United States for sexual assault

A Nigerian-born Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been sentenced to life in prison in Texas, US, after being found guilty of sexually assaulting worshipers and abusing his position of spiritual authority.

Odiong, 57, was convicted by a jury in state court in Waco on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after a two-day sentencing hearing.

British newspaper The Guardian reported that the priest was found guilty of one charge of first-degree sexual assault, which carried a possible sentence of five years to life in prison.

He was also convicted of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and received 20-year prison sentences for each.

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The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently, meaning Odiong will serve them at the same time.

The priest will be eligible for parole after 30 years and will be fined $10,000 for each charge.

The jurors added that the cleric exploited his spiritual authority to have sexual relations with two devout parishioners, either directly or through proxy.

During the trial, several witnesses testified that Odiong engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct over a period lasting more than a decade.

Prosecutors told the court that Odiong used his position as a trusted religious leader to sexually exploit members of his congregation.

The priest had served in the ministry for nearly 17 years, starting in 2006, including assignments in Waco, Texas, and later as pastor of a Catholic church in Luling, a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana.

His lawyer, Gerald Villarial, said the conviction and sentence will be appealed.

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