Former Gateway Church Pastor Receives Suspended Sentence After Decades-Old Abuse Case

Details of the Case

October 3, 2025: Robert Preston Morris, 64, founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from the sexual abuse of Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 years old when the abuse began in 1982 while Morris was a traveling evangelist in Hominy, Oklahoma. The abuse continued for four years.

Plea Agreement

Under the plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months to be served in Osage County Jail in Oklahoma. He must also register as a sex offender, pay restitution to Clemishire, and cover incarceration costs. Morris had previously admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior in his early 20s but had minimized the extent of the abuse.

Victim’s Statement

Cindy Clemishire, now 55, expressed relief and hope following the guilty plea. In a statement, she said, “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.” She emphasized the importance of speaking out against abuse and encouraged other survivors to share their stories.

Church’s Response

Gateway Church, which Morris founded in 2000, has since removed references to him from its website and other materials. The church has not issued a public statement regarding the guilty plea.

Broader Impact

The case has drawn national attention due to Morris’s former prominence as a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump and the size of Gateway Church, which has one of the largest congregations in the country. The conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability for individuals in positions of power and trust.