Robert Preston Morris, a former pastor of a Texas megachurch, has been indicted in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges dating back to the 1980s. Morris has been charged with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, with the abuse reportedly starting in 1982 when the victim was 12 years old and continuing for four years. The victim, identified as C.C., is now 55 and has expressed hope that justice will be served after nearly 43 years of waiting.
Cindy Clemishire, Morris’ accuser, has publicly shared her name and is grateful for the authorities who have worked to secure the indictment. She believes it is time for Morris to be held accountable for the crimes he committed against her as a child. Attorney General Gentner Drummond has condemned Morris’ actions, especially since he was a pastor who exploited his position of trust. The long-awaited legal proceedings offer some hope for the victim who endured years of abuse at Morris’ hands.
The Gateway Church, founded by Morris in 2000 and based in Southlake, Texas, has expressed support for the victim and all those affected by the situation. The church is aware of the legal actions being taken in Oklahoma and appreciates the efforts of the justice system in holding abusers accountable. Morris resigned from the church in response to the allegations that became public on a religious watchdog blog, prompting the legal consequences he now faces.
Clemishire recounted her initial interactions with Morris when he was a traveling preacher and their families became close. The abuse allegedly began in 1982 when Morris was staying at her family’s home. The church, with multiple locations in the area, is among the largest in the United States. Morris, who is politically active, hosted President Donald Trump on the church’s Dallas campus in 2020 for a discussion on race relations and the economy. Despite these connections, Morris faces potential imprisonment for up to 20 years for each of the five charges.
The legal indictment of Robert Preston Morris underscores the severity of the allegations against him and the importance of holding those who prey on children accountable. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, has shown courage in coming forward with her story after decades of silence. Hopefully, the legal proceedings will provide a sense of closure and justice for Clemishire and ensure that Morris is appropriately punished for the harm he inflicted. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse and exploitation within institutions of trust like churches.
