In brief
Robert Preston Morris, who resigned last year after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced, pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from incidents involving a now 55-year-old victim that began when she was just 12 years old. Morris, 64, received a 10-year suspended sentence, with part of it served in jail. The case highlights persistent issues of child sexual abuse and the importance of speaking out.
Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, pled guilty on Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a minor, signaling a drastic fall from grace for the former megachurch leader. Allegations against him date back to the 1980s, when he allegedly sexually abused a 12-year-old girl, who has since come forward sharing her story and calling for continued advocacy for victims of abuse.The plea agreement was formalized in Oklahoma's Osage County court, where the now 64-year-old Morris entered his guilty pleas before Judge Cindy Pickerill. As part of the deal, he received a 10-year suspended sentence, with six months to be served in custody. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.Cindy Clemishire, the victim, expressed her relief that 'justice has finally been served' after enduring years of trauma. She stated her hope that her story would inspire other victims to find their voice and that laws would evolve to better protect victims and children.Morris, who was politically active and served on Donald Trump's evangelical advisory board, has not returned comments sought regarding the case. The Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, emphasized that those in trust positions, such as pastors, should be held to the highest standards, particularly when it comes to the protection of children against abuse.
