Former Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges Dating Back to the 1980s

Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has been indicted on charges related to child sex abuse, according to an announcement from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. The charges involve five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, with the alleged incidents occurring in the 1980s. Morris, who is 63 years old, resigned from his position as senior pastor last year after admitting to “inappropriate sexual behavior” during that time period.

The allegations against Morris stem from incidents that reportedly began in December 1982. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office claims that the abuse occurred at the home of the victim, Cindy Clemishire, in Hominy, Oklahoma. Clemishire, who was 12 years old at the time, has publicly stated that the abuse continued for four years. She expressed relief that legal action is finally being taken, stating, “After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child.”

Gateway Church, a prominent megachurch, has not issued a statement regarding the indictment. The church, which Morris founded, has been a significant religious institution in Southlake, Texas. Morris’s resignation last year followed his admission of past misconduct, which prompted an internal investigation by the church.

The case is currently under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma legal system, and further proceedings are expected as the charges are addressed in court. The indictment marks a significant development in a case that has spanned several decades, bringing renewed attention to the allegations and the broader issue of accountability within religious institutions.