In a courtroom in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Robert Morris, the once-prominent founding pastor of Texas megachurch Gateway Church, pleaded guilty Thursday to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from allegations that he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl beginning in 1982, a scandal that has rocked the evangelical community and led to his dramatic fall from grace. Morris, now 64, faced Judge Cindy Pickerill in Osage County District Court, where he admitted to the crimes under a negotiated plea deal.
The sentencing was swift and stark: a 10-year prison term, but with all but six months suspended, meaning Morris will serve just half a year in the county jail before transitioning to probation. He must also register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution to his victim, Cindy Clemishire, who was present with her family during the hearing. As the judge delivered the verdict, Morris was handcuffed and led away, a far cry from the days when he preached to tens of thousands and advised former President Donald Trump on faith matters.
Indeed, the case traces back over four decades, but it exploded into public view last year when Clemishire detailed the abuse in interviews and online posts. Morris had initially described the encounters as "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady," a phrasing that drew sharp criticism for minimizing the victim's age. Gateway Church, which grew under Morris's leadership to attract around 100,000 weekly attendees across multiple campuses, accepted his resignation in June 2024 amid the uproar. However, the fallout continued: the church ousted several elders, faced lawsuits over retirement benefits Morris demanded from them—millions in deferred compensation—and even announced layoffs this summer due to plummeting donations.
Moreover, an independent investigation by the church revealed more layers of institutional failure, with elders stepping aside and promises of transparency that still feel hollow to many observers. Clemishire's courage in coming forward has spotlighted broader issues of accountability in megachurches, where power dynamics often shield leaders from scrutiny. Yet, as Morris begins his sentence, the real measure of justice remains elusive for survivors like her.
In the end, this saga leaves lingering questions about how faith leaders are held to account in America's religious landscape.