WACO, Texas — New DNA evidence presented in court Tuesday revealed that the former Waco Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, is the biological father of a child conceived through an alleged sexual assault, according to the Waco Police Department.
The findings, described "with a certainty of [more than] 99.99%" by laboratory analysis, were presented at Odiong's bond hearing in Waco where prosecutors also revealed that the child was born within the past year.
Odiong, 55, faces three McLennan County grand jury indictments for sex assault - one first-degree charge and two second-degree charges - and one pending potential indictment of possession of child porn, according to Waco PD. The Guardian, which has been following this case since February, said he faces a total of five charges of sex assault in the first degree and two more in the second degree in connection to three separate women.
Lead investigator on the case, Detective Bradley DeLange, testified Tuesday that he at least nine victims were confirmed across the U.S. and abroad. He said there may be two more victims with one of the individuals coming forward that morning.
Odiong requested his bond be reduced, but was denied because he reportedly communicated plans of fleeing to Nigeria if he were released, according to prosecutors. It remains set at $5.5 million.
Odiong could receive up to life in prison if he's convicted of any of the first-degree charges while the second-degree charges could each carry 20 years in prison in Texas.
Arrest and Allegations
Odiong was arrested in July in Ave Maria, Fla. when investigators found child porn in his possession while looking into sex assault claims reported to police. He was later extradited to McLennan County. The lead investigator on the case, Detective Bradley DeLange, told the New York Times that though he wasn't indicted then on possessing child porn, he could be in the future.
His arrest also followed The Guardian's February report, which detailed allegations made against Odiong by multiple women. They accused him of sexual coercion, unwelcomed touching and financial abuse during his time as a Catholic clergyman. (From 2006 to 2012, Odiong reportedly served as a priest in West at St. Mary's Church of the Assumption, as well as St. Peter's Catholic Student Center. Police say he also served in Luling, Louisiana from around 2015 to 2023.)
Authorities have since identified nine survivors of Odiong's alleged abuse and confirmed he fathered at least two children as a result of the assaults, police said. Investigators say there may be more children yet to be confirmed.
Ongoing investigations
In addition to the sexual assault and potential child pornography charges, Waco police announced they are looking into his alleged financial crimes.
Waco PD is also still asking any survivors to come forward. Survivors can contact Waco Police Department Detective Bradley DeLange at 254-750-7500.
"The Waco Police Department stands ready to assist survivors, no matter where they may be," the department said in a release.
Stay with 6 News as we continue to follow this case.