Robert Preston Morris, a former pastor of a Texas megachurch, has been indicted in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges decades after allegations first surfaced. The state’s attorney general’s office announced Wednesday that Morris, 63, faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
The indictment alleges the abuse began in 1982 when the victim, identified as C.C., was 12 years old. At the time, Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with the victim’s family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Prosecutors claim the abuse continued for four years.
Cindy Clemishire, who has publicly identified herself as the victim, expressed gratitude for the indictment. “After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,” said Clemishire, now 55. “Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable.”
Attempts to reach Morris for comment were unsuccessful. Phone numbers associated with him were disconnected, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, resigned from his position last year after the allegations resurfaced on the religious watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch.
In response to the indictment, Gateway Church issued a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings and offering prayers for the victim. “We are aware of the actions being taken by the legal authorities in Oklahoma and are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions,” the church stated.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond condemned the allegations, emphasizing the severity of the charges. “There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” Drummond said. “This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice.”
If convicted, Morris could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the five charges. As of Wednesday, he had not been taken into custody.
Morris, once a politically influential figure, previously hosted former President Donald Trump at Gateway Church’s Dallas campus in 2020 for a discussion on race relations and the economy.
Gateway Church, one of the largest congregations in the United States, operates multiple locations across Texas.
The case underscores growing scrutiny over allegations of abuse within religious institutions, as victims continue to come forward seeking justice.
