Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Appears in Court Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
OSAGE COUNTY, Okla. – Robert Morris, the founder of North Texas’ Gateway Church, appeared in court for the first time on Friday following allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1980s. His attorney entered a not-guilty plea during the brief hearing, which was the first public sighting of Morris since his resignation in June 2024.
The accuser, Cindy Clemishire, claims that Morris, now 63, sexually abused her starting when she was just 12 years old in 1982. After the hearing, Morris declined to comment as he left the courtroom. This hearing marks a significant moment, as it was the first time both Morris and Clemishire have been present in the same venue since the alleged crimes.
Morris, who was a prominent pastor and spiritual advisor to former President Trump, resigned amid these serious allegations. He faces multiple charges of lewd acts with a child and is set for a preliminary hearing in September. Notably, the absence of a statute of limitations on such cases in Oklahoma facilitates the prosecution, given Morris was not a resident during the time of the alleged abuses.
In a poignant testimony before Texas senators a day before the court appearance, Clemishire detailed her traumatic experiences, noting that Morris had pressured her to remain silent with threats. She shared her story to support bills aimed at empowering abuse survivors and banning non-disclosure agreements in such contexts.
Clemishire also revealed that Morris’ legal team tried to have her sign an NDA in 2007, a move she argues would have concealed the abuse further. As legislative discussions continue, the fate of proposed bills designed to protect victims remains uncertain.
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