A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women under his spiritual care.
Odiong, 57, was found guilty on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault following a trial in Waco, Texas, according to The Guardian.
The verdict was returned on Friday by a 12-member jury made up of eight women and four men after about two hours of deliberation.
During the trial, two women testified that Odiong used his position as a Catholic priest to manipulate and pressure them into sexual relationships while providing them with spiritual guidance.
Prosecutors told the court that the priest exploited his clerical authority and took advantage of the women during periods of emotional vulnerability. Odiong, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The 57-year-old now faces the possibility of life imprisonment on the first-degree sexual assault charge. Sentencing is scheduled to begin on Monday.
