Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris indicted on charges of lewd acts with minor

In Oklahoma City, a grand jury has indicted Robert Morris, a prominent Texas megachurch founder and former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a girl beginning when she was 12 years old in the 1980s. The indictment comes after Morris resigned as the senior pastor of Gateway Church in June, having admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" during that period. His accuser, Cindy Clemishire, claims that the abuse started on Christmas in 1982 when Morris was just 21.

Clemishire, now 55, expressed relief after the indictment, stating that justice has finally caught up with Morris for his "horrific crimes." The grand jury's decision followed two days of secret testimony, with charges alleging that the inappropriate conduct persisted while the victim was aged 13 and 14. Morris's attorney did not provide a comment on the indictment, while Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who prey on children.

Morris acknowledged his past wrongdoings after Clemishire publicly named him in a blog about sexual abuse within the church. He described the encounters as inappropriate but characterized them as non-penetrative. The blog reveals that Clemishire and her family first met Morris during a youth revival when he was a traveling evangelist. The abuse began shortly thereafter, occurring multiple times over several years, with Morris reportedly warning her not to disclose the incidents.

Following Clemishire's disclosure of her experiences, Morris temporarily stepped away from ministry in 1987 after she informed her family and a close friend. He later founded Gateway Church, which expanded significantly, and gained a vast media presence with programs airing globally. Despite his initial ties to Trump’s administration, he has not been involved in the 2024 campaign.

The indictment details specific counts of lewd behavior, including inappropriate touching and looking at her private parts. If convicted, Morris faces up to 100 years in prison. As this case progresses, it underscores the ongoing implications of sexual abuse scandals within religious institutions and the importance of speaking out against such crimes.