Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, has resigned after being indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from alleged acts involving a 12-year-old girl that took place over four years starting in 1982. Morris admitted to wrongdoing after the victim, Cindy Clemishire, spoke out about the abuse she suffered as a child. Morris resigned from Gateway Church in June following an independent investigation into the allegations.
Clemishire met Morris when she was 11 and he was a traveling evangelist. The abuse began on Christmas in 1982 when Morris invited her to his room, where he sexually assaulted her. The abuse continued until 1987. The statute of limitations did not apply to Morris’ charges as he was not an Oklahoma resident.
Morris, who was once on Trump’s spiritual advisory board, faces up to 100 years in prison if convicted of all five counts. He had a wide reach through his television and radio programs, which aired in numerous countries and cities.
Clemishire decided to come forward publicly to encourage other victims to tell their stories. She wants all victims to come forward, believing she is not the only one who has been abused. The criminal investigation involving Morris is ongoing, and he is expected to turn himself in to face the charges in court next week.
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