Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd acts with a minor. His guilty plea comes after allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s, with accusations made by a woman from Oklahoma who was just 12 years old at the time.
Morris, 64, entered his pleas before an Osage County judge as part of a plea agreement that results in a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months to be served in jail. The abuse reportedly began in 1982 and continued for four years, according to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
The victim, Cindy Clemishire, who is now 55 years old, shared her relief following the sentencing. Justice has finally been served, and the man who manipulated, groomed, and abused me is going to be behind bars, she stated, urging other victims to find their voice and seek justice.
Morris is required to register as a sex offender and will be under supervision by Texas authorities. He has also been ordered to cover the costs of his incarceration and restitution to the victim.
Gateway Church, which Morris founded in 2000, has been a significant entity in Texas and politically active, even previously serving on President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board. Drummond emphasized the significance of the case, stressing that there is no tolerance for those who exploit positions of trust to prey on children.
The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the importance of coming forward in the fight against child sexual abuse.
