Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse Charges
- Shalena
- Oct 2
- 1 min read
Posted on October 2, 2025 | Shalena Speaks
In a stunning courtroom development, Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has pleaded guilty to five counts of child sex abuse in Oklahoma.
Morris, once one of the most influential megachurch pastors in America and a former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, admitted in court to lewd and indecent acts with a child dating back to the 1980s.
The Plea Deal
According to Oklahoma prosecutors, Morris entered into a plea agreement that includes:
A 10-year suspended sentence
Six months of jail time
Lifetime registration as a sex offender
Restitution payments and coverage of incarceration costs
This marks a dramatic reversal from his initial plea of not guilty earlier this year.
From Power to Prosecution
Morris built Gateway Church into one of the largest congregations in the country, with more than 100,000 members across multiple campuses. He resigned from his leadership position in 2024 after abuse allegations surfaced publicly.
Civil Case Still Pending
In addition to the criminal case, victim Cindy Clemishire and her father have filed a civil lawsuit against Morris, Gateway Church, and church leadership. The lawsuit accuses them of defamation and of covering up the abuse for decades. That trial is scheduled for June 2026.
The Bigger Picture
Morris’s guilty plea is another reminder of the ongoing reckoning within religious institutions, where survivors are increasingly demanding transparency and accountability from church leadership.
Comments