In brief
Robert Preston Morris, a former pastor of Gateway Church, pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma. The charges follow accusations of sexual abuse made by a victim who was just 12 years old at the time of the incidents. Morris, 64, received a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months served in jail. The victim expressed relief that 'justice has finally been served' and shared her hope that her story would encourage other victims to speak up. Morris, who was politically active and formerly on Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board, is now required to register as a sex offender.
Robert Preston Morris, the founder of a notorious Texas megachurch, Gateway Church, pleaded guilty on Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in a court appearance in Oklahoma. This plea comes after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her during the 1980s when she was just 12 years old.
According to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the abuse allegedly began in 1982 and continued over four years, taking place while Morris was a traveling evangelist in Hominy, Oklahoma. Following a grand jury indictment last year, Morris has now entered a plea agreement that includes a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months to be served in Osage County Jail.
The victim, Cindy Clemishire, 55, expressed her relief in a statement, saying, justice has finally been served, and the man who manipulated, groomed, and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl is finally going to be behind bars. She also hopes that by sharing her story, other victims will come forward, highlighting the importance of speaking up against sexual abuse.
Morris's sentencing further stipulates that he must register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities. Additionally, he is responsible for covering his incarceration costs and providing restitution to the victim. Gateway Church, founded by Morris in 2000, has been influential in evangelical circles and politically active, previously hosting former President Donald Trump on its campus.
Drummond emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children, condemning Morris for exploiting his position of authority. With the victim waiting many years for justice, this case shines a light on ongoing concerns surrounding sexual abuse, particularly in cases involving trusted figures in religious institutions.
