Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church located in Southlake, Texas, has surrendered to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office following serious allegations against him. He was indicted last Wednesday on multiple charges of lewd acts involving a minor and is expected to plead not guilty during his court appearance.
Morris was booked around 7:57 a.m. and was released shortly after 8:11 a.m. on a $50,000 bail bond. His attorney, Mack Martin, indicated an expected not guilty plea at the 3 p.m. arraignment today, although he refrained from elaborating on the specifics of the allegations.
The matter stems from accusations by Cindy Clemishire, who claims Morris sexually abused her for several years beginning at age 12 when he was a traveling evangelist in the 1980s. The gravity of the situation led the officials at Gateway Church to reach out to their congregants, offering prayers while also making it clear that Morris is no longer affiliated with the church.
Nic Lesmeister, Gateway Church’s executive pastor of global outreach, stated in a recent address that the church had set a definitive separation from Morris following his resignation last June. He emphasized their commitment to moving forward without involvement in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Morris. “Last November, our elders made it clear that we had drawn a bright line as a church, and we were moving forward,” he noted.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who once represented Clemishire as her attorney, underscored the reprehensibility of Morris’s alleged actions, especially given his role as a pastor at the time. He highlighted the importance of justice for victims of such crimes, stating, “There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children.” This echoes Clemishire’s sentiment, as she expressed gratitude for the legal action finally catching up with Morris after nearly 43 years, emphasizing the hope for accountability through the legal system.
Details surrounding the case have been closely watched, particularly given the longstanding impact on Clemishire’s life and her family. Following years of what she claims was unrecognized abuse, she remarked on the potential for a long-awaited justice to unfold.
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