Dallas, Texas — Robert Morris, the founder and former pastor of a Texas megachurch, has recently been indicted on multiple counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child that allegedly occurred in Oklahoma in the 1980s. The charges stem from incidents that reportedly took place when Morris was a traveling evangelist visiting Hominy, Oklahoma, with the family of the victim.
A grand jury in multiple counties issued an indictment on 12 March, accusing Morris of engaging in sexual misconduct with a child over a four-year period. The victim, who was 12 years old at the time, reportedly endured the abuse starting from Christmas of 1982. Morris, who was 21 years old at the time, has faced serious allegations regarding his behavior towards the child.
Morris, a former member of Donald Trump’s spiritual advisory committee, played a significant role in mobilizing conservatives and evangelicals to support Trump’s presidential campaigns. He even hosted an event where Trump made an appearance at Gateway church in June 2020. Following an internal investigation into the abuse and the church’s handling of the situation, an elder at the church resigned.
In a statement, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of child abuse accountable, especially when they exploit positions of trust and authority. Morris, who resigned from his position as senior pastor of Gateway church last year, has faced financial and legal repercussions due to the allegations against him.
The indictment comes after a leaked phone transcript revealed that Morris attempted to bribe the victim in 2005, offering her money to keep silent about the abuse. The victim, identified as Cindy Clemishire, expressed gratitude for the authorities working to bring Morris to justice after decades of waiting. Gateway church also removed four elders in response to an internal investigation that revealed their knowledge of the abuse or their failure to take appropriate action.
For survivors of child abuse, various resources and hotlines are available to provide support and assistance across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is crucial to address cases of child abuse promptly and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.