Morris Faces Five Counts In Oklahoma Related To Alleged 1980s Abuse
Robert Preston Morris, the 63-year-old former pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, will surrender to Oklahoma authorities on March 17, 2025, to face five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from allegations by Cindy Clemishire, who states Morris sexually abused her for four years beginning in 1982 when she was 12 years old. He was a traveling evangelist staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Morris resigned from his position at the Texas megachurch in 2024 after the accusations became public, and his attorney, Mack Martin, said he plans to enter a not-guilty plea on Morris’s behalf. An Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond and ordered Morris to surrender his passport to the local sheriff.
5 Key Points
- Robert Preston Morris, 63, will surrender to Osage County authorities on March 17, 2025
- Morris faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, each carrying up to 20 years in prison
- The alleged abuse began in 1982 when accuser Cindy Clemishire was 12 and continued for four years
- An Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond and ordered Morris to surrender his passport
- Morris resigned last year as pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, following the accusations
When Did The Alleged Abuse By Robert Morris Occur, And What Are The Specific Charges Filed?
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s office details that the alleged abuse began in 1982 when Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with Clemishire’s family in Hominy, Oklahoma. According to court documents, the victim, identified in the indictment as C.C. but who has publicly come forward as Cindy Clemishire, was 12 years old when the alleged abuse began. The abuse reportedly continued for four years, until 1986. Clemishire is now 55, meaning these allegations remained unreported for nearly 43 years before charges were filed in March 2025.
The five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child filed against Morris in Osage County carry substantial penalties. According to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, each of the five charges carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if Morris is convicted. The indictment came after investigations by Oklahoma authorities into Clemishire’s allegations, culminating in formal charges against Morris last week. The prosecution has not yet released specific details about the evidence supporting each of the five counts.
Court records show that an Osage County judge has already taken preliminary action in the case, setting Morris’s bond at $50,000. Additionally, the judge ordered Morris to surrender his passport to the Osage County Sheriff, presumably to reduce flight risk given the severity of the charges and potential prison time the former pastor faces. Morris’s attorney confirmed that his client intends to comply with the surrender order on Monday, March 17.
Morris’s legal team has not yet presented a detailed defense against the charges. However, his attorney, Mack Martin, told reporters he anticipates entering a not-guilty plea on Morris’s behalf at the initial court appearance. The indictment represents the beginning of what could be a lengthy legal process for both the accused and his accuser.
How Has Cindy Clemishire Responded To The Indictment Against Morris?
Cindy Clemishire, who has taken the unusual step of requesting her name be used publicly despite being an alleged sexual abuse victim, issued a statement expressing relief that charges have finally been filed. “After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,” Clemishire stated. Her decision to be publicly identified marks a significant personal choice, as most media outlets typically refrain from naming alleged victims of sexual assault.
In her statement, Clemishire expressed gratitude toward the authorities who worked on her case, saying she is “very grateful to the authorities who have worked to make the indictment possible.” This acknowledgment highlights the complex and often lengthy process of investigating decades-old allegations of child sexual abuse, which frequently involve challenges related to evidence preservation and witness testimony. Despite these difficulties, Oklahoma prosecutors determined they had sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges.
Clemishire also shared her hopes for the legal proceedings, stating she remains “hopeful justice will ultimately prevail.” This comment reflects the uncertainty that often accompanies sexual abuse cases, particularly those involving allegations from many years ago. The case will now move through the Oklahoma court system, with preliminary hearings expected to establish the timeline for a potential trial.
The decision by Clemishire to come forward publicly after more than four decades illustrates the long-lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse. It aligns with patterns seen in other cases involving religious leaders, where victims sometimes wait decades before feeling able to report alleged crimes. Her public stance also creates additional visibility for a case involving a prominent religious figure.
What Is Robert Morris’s Background And The Significance Of Gateway Church?
Robert Preston Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000, building it into one of the largest Protestant churches in the United States with multiple campuses across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Under his leadership, the Southlake, Texas church grew to more than 100,000 members, making it a significant institution in American evangelical Christianity. Morris authored numerous religious books and became a prominent voice in charismatic Christian circles as senior pastor.
Gateway Church gained additional prominence through its political connections. In 2020, the church hosted then-President Donald Trump at its Dallas campus for a discussion on race relations and the economy. This connection to national politics elevated Morris’s profile beyond religious circles and into broader public awareness. Morris frequently appeared with prominent political and religious leaders at events, further cementing his status within evangelical communities.
Morris resigned at Gateway Church in 2024 after Clemishire’s accusations became public. The church has not issued detailed statements about the specifics of his departure, though the timing coincided with the emerging allegations. The impact on the congregation has been significant, as Morris was the founding and senior pastor for over two decades.
The charges against Morris add to a pattern of sexual abuse allegations that have emerged against leaders of numerous religious organizations in recent years. Large churches and religious institutions across denominations have faced increasing scrutiny over their handling of abuse allegations and internal accountability systems for leadership.
FAQ
Q: What specific charges does Robert Morris face in Oklahoma?
A: Robert Preston Morris faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in Osage County, Oklahoma. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
Q: When is Robert Morris expected to surrender to authorities?
A: Morris is expected to surrender to officials in Osage County, Oklahoma, on Monday, March 17, 2025, according to his attorney Mack Martin.
Q: How old was the alleged victim when the abuse reportedly began?
A: According to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, the alleged victim, Cindy Clemishire, was 12 years old when the abuse reportedly began in 1982 while Morris was staying with her family as a traveling evangelist.
Q: Has Robert Morris responded to the allegations against him?
A: Morris has not made public statements about the allegations, but his attorney, Mack Martin, said he anticipates entering a not-guilty plea on Morris’s behalf.
Q: What conditions did the judge set for Morris’s release?
A: An Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond for Morris and ordered him to surrender his passport to the local sheriff’s office.
Q: When did Morris resign from Gateway Church, and what was his role there?
A: Morris resigned in 2024 as the senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He founded the church, which grew into a megachurch with over 100,000 members under his leadership.
Citations
MURPHY, SEAN (March 17, 2025). Accused Texas megachurch pastor to surrender in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges. The Associated Press/MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/accused-texas-megachurch-pastor-to-surrender-in-oklahoma-on-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ar-AA1B3nPg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=4977d7b7cad641bde8f53e379a2aa630&ei=17
