In brief
Robert Preston Morris, once a prominent pastor of one of America's largest megachurches, was released from imprisonment after pleading guilty to abusing a child in the 1980s. Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence, with six months served in jail and ordered to register as a sex offender. His victim, Cindy Clemishire, expressed her relief at the outcome while seeking further justice through civil means against those who supported Morris during the abuse.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Texas megachurch Gateway Church, was released after serving six months in an Oklahoma jail for sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. Morris, 64, was released just after midnight, according to Osage County Sheriff’s Capt. Matt Clark. Morris pleaded guilty last year to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, resulting in a 10-year suspended sentence, with the initial six months served in jail. The abuse began in 1982 when the victim, Cindy Clemishire, was just 12 years old, during which time Morris was a traveling evangelist. Following the disclosure of Clemishire's allegations, Morris resigned from his position as senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. He was indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury and now must register as a sex offender under Texas supervision. Morris is also responsible for his incarceration costs and restitution to the victim. Clemishire, now in her 50s, stated that justice had been served, expressing relief that Morris is no longer in a position to abuse others. Jeff Leach, representing Clemishire, noted the importance of accountability not just for Morris but for all who enabled his actions. In a statement, Morris apologized to Clemishire and her family, acknowledging the wrongness of his actions decades ago. The case has stirred discussions regarding the responsibility of religious institutions in addressing misconduct by their leaders. Morris, who was politically active and served on President Trump's evangelical advisory board, founded Gateway Church in 2000.
