Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Pleads Guilty in Child Sex Abuse Case
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Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, has pleaded guilty to multiple child sex abuse charges in Oklahoma. The 64-year-old preacher accepted a plea deal in Osage County District Court for five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Cindy Clemishire, now 55, bravely came forward, stating that she was only 12 years old when the sexual abuse began in the 1980s. The case has shocked many as Morris was a former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump.
According to NBC News, Morris will serve a 10-year sentence, with six months to be spent in jail and the remaining time on probation in Texas. His attorney, Bill Mateja, confirmed the details of the plea arrangement. Gateway Church, where Morris served as the founder, has chosen not to comment on the conviction. The church’s role in light of these allegations remains a subject of scrutiny and concern as the community processes these revelations.
As part of the plea deal, Morris is required to register as a sex offender and cover the costs of his incarceration, including any medical expenses, as well as provide restitution to the victim. Cindy Clemishire, who was present in court, shared her emotional account of the abuse that occurred while Morris was a travelling evangelist staying in Hominy, Okla., with her family. The abuse reportedly began in 1982 and continued for four years, leaving a lasting impact on Clemishire’s life.
In a disturbing development, Morris and his attorney previously attempted to shift blame onto Clemishire for the abuse she suffered as a young girl. This tactic, as reported by NBC News, aimed to discredit Clemishire’s claims by suggesting that she had initiated inappropriate behaviour. However, justice prevailed as Morris faced accountability for his actions, a crucial step towards validating the experiences of survivors like Clemishire.
Gateway Church, founded in 2000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has distanced itself from Morris following these troubling revelations. The church, which once prominently featured Morris, has removed references to him from its website. Multiple locations associated with the church, including congregations in Texas and Wyoming, are now grappling with the aftermath of Morris’s guilty plea and the implications for their community of worshippers.
In her poignant statement to the court, Clemishire expressed relief that justice was finally served, bringing closure to a painful chapter in her life. She urged other victims to come forward, highlighting the importance of speaking out against child sexual abuse to prevent further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the critical need for robust systems to protect them from exploitation and harm in places of trust and authority.
The indictment of Robert Morris on child sex abuse charges reflects a troubling pattern of abuse of power and betrayal of trust within religious institutions. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasised the gravity of the case, condemning Morris’s abuse of his position as a pastor to prey on vulnerable children. As the community grapples with the fallout of these revelations, it underscores the vital importance of holding perpetrators of such heinous crimes accountable and supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice and healing.