Texas Priest Faces Consolidated Trial for Multiple Sexual Assault Allegations
A Roman Catholic priest with connections to Texas and southeastern Louisiana is confronting the possibility of a single trial for criminal charges involving three separate female congregants who accuse him of exploiting his spiritual authority to engage in sexual conduct. Anthony Odiong, who has served in both regions, faces serious felony charges under Texas law for allegedly abusing his position as a clergyman.
Prosecution Seeks to Combine Cases
In late March, the McLennan County District Attorney's office in Texas filed a motion to consolidate the three cases against Odiong into one trial. The motion, prepared by First Assistant District Attorney Ryan Calvert, cites Texas state law permitting a single criminal action when offenses are connected or represent repeated commission of similar crimes. A trial date has tentatively been set for May 4, though Odiong retains the right to object to the consolidation.
Calvert's motion emphasizes that each case involves Odiong exploiting the emotional dependency of parishioners who viewed him as a spiritual adviser, leading to sexual conduct. This behavior is classified as a felony in Texas, carrying severe penalties including potential life imprisonment for first-degree sexual assault charges.
Background of the Allegations
The prosecution stems from a Guardian report published in February 2024, which detailed accusations from women alleging sexual coercion, unwanted touching, and abusive financial control by Odiong while he was acting as a Catholic priest. Following the report, authorities in Waco, Texas, pursued charges, resulting in five counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault involving three women.
Investigators have identified a total of 10 women whom Odiong is suspected of preying on through his ministry in Texas and the Louisiana region, including areas near New Orleans. While only three cases led to criminal charges, the number of accusers allows prosecutors to pursue the case without time limitations on some alleged crimes. Additionally, accusers whose allegations did not result in charges may testify in support of the three primary cases.
Broader Context of Clergy Abuse
Odiong's case emerges amid ongoing global debates within the Catholic Church about expanding the definition of vulnerable adults in clergy abuse contexts. Currently, the church defines vulnerable adults as those over 18 with severe intellectual, developmental, or psychological disabilities, with Vatican policy clearly condemning sexual misconduct with such individuals. However, discussions continue about including adults under spiritual authority, like congregants, in this category.
Odiong is among several Catholic clergymen in the New Orleans area arrested for sexual abuse allegations, both before and after the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020. The archdiocese and its insurers have since agreed to a $305 million settlement with hundreds of abuse survivors involved in the bankruptcy case.
Personal Revelations and Legal Proceedings
In December 2024, Odiong declined a plea deal that would have offered parole after 20 years in prison. Prior to that, a preliminary hearing revealed he had violated his vow of celibacy by fathering at least two children with women he met through his clerical work. Although none of the three women central to the charges are confirmed as the mothers, authorities view this as evidence of a pattern of pursuing women from his ministry.
Before being charged, Odiong published an open letter on social media dismissing the allegations as a false and one-sided smear campaign. His defense attorney, Gerald Villarrial, has declined to comment on the case.
The tentative trial date coincides with a period of significant scrutiny for the Catholic Church, following the appointment of Leo XIV as the first US-born pope months after charges were filed against Odiong. This case highlights ongoing challenges in addressing clergy abuse and protecting congregants from exploitation.
