Former Megachurch Leader Enters Guilty Plea
Robert Morris, the 64-year-old founder of the prominent Gateway Church in Texas, pleaded guilty on Thursday, October 2, 2025, to five felony charges of child sexual abuse in an Oklahoma court. The plea was entered during a scheduled District Court Arraignment in Osage County, where Morris was subsequently handcuffed and taken to jail.
The charges stem from allegations made by Cindy Clemishire, who accused Morris of sexually abusing her beginning in December 1982, when she was 12 years old. The abuse reportedly occurred at her home in Hominy, Oklahoma, and continued for approximately four years.
Details of the Plea Agreement and Sentencing
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence. He will serve the first six months of this sentence in the Osage County Jail. Following his jail term, he will be placed on probation for nine and a half years, with supervision handled by the State of Texas.
Key components of the sentencing include:
- Registration as a sex offender: Morris is required to register as a lifetime sex offender.
- Restitution: He must pay $270,000 in restitution to the victim, Cindy Clemishire.
- Incarceration costs: Morris is also ordered to pay his costs of incarceration, including any medical expenses.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement emphasizing the severity of the case, particularly given Morris's position of trust.
Victim's Statement and Morris's Response
Cindy Clemishire, now 55, was present in court and delivered a powerful statement. She expressed that 'Today 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.' Clemishire also shared her hope that her story would empower other victims to speak up.
A spokesperson for Morris stated that he 'pled guilty because he wanted to accept responsibility for his conduct.' His attorney, Bill Mateja, added that Morris 'sincerely apologizes for his conduct and asks for their forgiveness.' Morris had previously maintained his innocence after being indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
Background and Church Affiliation
Robert Morris founded Gateway Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Southlake in 2000, growing it into one of the largest megachurches in the United States. He resigned from his position as senior pastor last year after the allegations became public. The church has since installed new leadership. Clemishire has also filed a separate defamation lawsuit against Morris, his wife, and Gateway leadership.
6 Comments
Mariposa
So glad she got some closure after all these years.
Comandante
He should be in prison for decades, not just a few months.
Habibi
Where's the real consequence for such heinous acts?
Donatello
It's positive to see accountability for a figure in such a position of trust, but the fact that he only serves a fraction of his sentence underscores a persistent issue with how the justice system handles these cases.
Comandante
Six months? That's it for child abuse? Disgusting!
KittyKat
It's a relief that he finally pleaded guilty and admitted his wrongdoing, but six months in jail for such severe abuse feels incredibly lenient given the trauma caused.