Oklahoma Grand Jury Indicts Texas Megachurch Founder on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 12, 2025) – In a significant development, Robert Preston Morris, aged 63, founder of the Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has been indicted by a Multi-County Grand Jury on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges, stemming from alleged incidents that started in December 1982, involve accusations from a victim who was just 12 years old at the time. Morris, who resigned from his position as senior pastor last summer following these allegations, now faces serious legal consequences for actions purported to have spanned over four years. The alleged abuse reportedly began during a Christmas visit in Hominy, Oklahoma, and continued until the victim was 16, raising alarm over the unsafe practices that may have been enabled by his status as a pastor and community leader. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed outrage at the exploitation of trust, stating that 'there can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children.' This case is particularly notable because the statute of limitations does not apply, a rare provision since Morris was not an Oklahoma resident at the time of the alleged offenses. This loophole gives authorities the opportunity to pursue justice decades after the events, highlighting a growing awareness and intolerance of historical sexual abuse cases. Cindy Clemishire, the alleged victim, has publicly expressed her gratitude for the legal action taken against Morris, marking a significant moment of accountability after years of silence and suffering. 'After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,' she stated, embodying the struggle of many victims who face substantial barriers to coming forward. Gateway Church, which Morris founded in 2000 and which is among the largest in the U.S., has stated that they are praying for all impacted by this situation as they cooperate with legal proceedings. However, the church has also faced internal scrutiny, leading to the dismissal of multiple elders following investigations into their knowledge of the allegations pre-emptively shared by Clemishire. This turbulence reflects a broader scandal within religious institutions regarding the handling of abuse allegations, raising critical questions about transparency and accountability. Morris could face severe prison sentences if found guilty on any of the counts. The broader implication of such high-profile cases is significant, as they can encourage other survivors to come forward and galvanize movements advocating for victim rights and protections against sexual predators, especially within positions of power. This news article has been analyzed and reviewed by artificial intelligence, and it highlights not only the specifics of the case but also the societal contexts surrounding it. The push for justice represents a crucial moment in recognizing historical abuses and challenging systemic cover-ups, particularly within influential institutions like the church.