Robert Preston Morris, the 64-year-old founder of the prominent Texas megachurch Gateway Church, has been released from an Oklahoma jail after serving a six-month sentence for child sex abuse. The release occurred just after midnight on Tuesday, according to Osage County Sheriff's Captain Matt Clark.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Details
Morris pleaded guilty last year to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child as part of a plea agreement. Under this agreement, he received a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months to be served in the Osage County Jail. The abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 years old and Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma.
Victim's Statement and Prosecution
The victim, Cindy Clemishire, who is now in her 50s, publicly came forward with the allegations. In a statement when Morris was sentenced, she said, "justice has finally been served, and the man who manipulated, groomed and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl is finally going to be behind bars." Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office prosecuted the case, highlighting the severity of the crimes committed decades ago.
Morris's Apology and Church Leadership
In a statement released by his attorney Bill Mateja, Morris apologized to Clemishire and her family, acknowledging the wrongfulness of his actions. "What I did to Cindy decades ago was wrong. There is no other word for it, and there is no excuse for it. I am deeply sorry," Morris said. He also expressed gratitude for the Clemishires' courage in bringing the abuse to light.
Morris was the senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, until his resignation in June 2024 when faced with the victim's allegations. He founded the church in 2000, leading it to become one of the nation's largest megachurches. Morris has been politically active, previously serving on President Donald Trump's evangelical advisory board, and the church hosted Trump in 2020 for discussions on race relations and the economy.
Post-Release Conditions
As part of his sentence, Morris must register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities via an interstate compact. He was also ordered to pay costs of incarceration, including any medical expenses, and restitution to the victim. This supervision aims to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect public safety following his release from jail.
