The founder of a Dallas-Fort Worth megachurch and former advisor to President Donald Trump has been indicted for sex abuse charges concerning a minor. The alleged incidents occurred in the 1980s.
An Oklahoma grand jury indicted Robert Preston Morris, 63, on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child on Wednesday, March 12. The alleged sexual misconduct began in December 1982, when Morris was visiting the child’s family in Hominy, Okla., for Christmas, and continued for four years. The alleged victim was 12 years old at the time, the Oklahoma Attorney General said in a press release.
“There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” said Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done.”
The press release noted that the statute of limitations does not apply in this case as Morris has never lived in Oklahoma.
The indictment against Morris alleged the former pastor had “lewd or lascivious” contact with the child throughout the early 1980s.
The victim’s name is not disclosed in the press release or indictment.
The charges come nearly a year after a woman named Cindy Clemishire alleged to ABC affiliate WFAA that Morris sexually abused her from 1982 to 1987.
Clemshire said Wednesday, via her attorney, that she is grateful Morris has been indicted, per Texas Tribune.
“After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,” said Clemshire. “Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable. My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible and remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail.”
Morris, who served on Trump’s evangelical advisory board during his 2016 campaign for President, could surrender to authorities soon and be arraigned as early as Monday, March 17, Drummond told The Dallas Morning News. Morris is facing up to 20 years in prison for each felony count.
News of Morris’ alleged misconduct surfaced last June, when he resigned from Gateway Church and issued a statement admitting he had “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a “young lady” in the 1980s, per WFAA.
He did not mention the name or age of the “young lady,” but said the conduct began in his “early twenties” and occurred “in a home where I was staying.”
“It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years,” Morris said.
He added that “this situation was brought to light” in March 1987 and “it was confessed and repented of.” He stepped down from ministry and underwent counseling at the request of the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the “young lady’s father,” Morris said in his June 2024 statement.
He and his wife sat down with the young lady and her family in 1989, Morris said, per CNN. “I asked their forgiveness, and they graciously forgave me,” he added.
Clemishire told WFAA that her family forgave Morris, but they did not support him returning to the ministry.
Gateway Church also said in June that Morris went through a “two-year restoration process” following the alleged misconduct.
In November, Gateway Church removed four elders from leadership.
Morris founded Gateway Church in the Dallas area of Texas in 2000, according to the church’s website. The church now has several locations across Dallas-Fort Worth.
