In brief
Robert Morris, ex-founder of Gateway Church in Texas, admitted guilt to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child as part of a plea deal. The charges stem from accusations that he abused a girl for four years starting when she was 12. He received a 10-year suspended sentence, with six months to be served in jail, and must register as a sex offender. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, expressed hope that her story will encourage other victims to speak out.
Robert Preston Morris, 64, who resigned as founder of the Texas-based Gateway Church amid sexual abuse allegations, pleaded guilty on Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in an Oklahoma court.The abuse reportedly occurred over a four-year period starting in 1982, when the victim, identified as Cindy Clemishire, was just 12 years old. Morris, who was serving as a traveling evangelist at the time, was sentenced to a 10-year suspended prison term, with the stipulation that he serve at least six months in county jail.Clemishire, now 55, welcomed the court's decision, stating that justice has finally been served and shared her hopes that others would be encouraged to come forward about their experiences. Morris, who must also register as a sex offender, will be supervised by authorities under an interstate compact agreement. The court's move was met with criticism from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who condemned the exploitation of trust by church leaders.Cindy expressed hopes that her story could help lift the shame for other victims to speak out and she advocates for better laws to protect children from sexual abuse. A message seeking comment from Morris's church was not immediately returned, nor was a response obtained from his legal representative. Gateway Church, founded in 2000, had Morris active both religiously and politically, having ties with prominent figures including former President Donald Trump.
