Gateway Founder Robert Morris Turns Himself in to Authorities

His attorney expects him to enter a not guilty plea to the five charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

Robert Morris, founding pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, turned himself in on charges of lewd acts with children on Monday, March 17.

Morris was indicted by a grand jury in Oklahoma last week on five charges of lewd or indecent acts with children.

Mugshot of Robert Morris screengrab via YouTube / WFAA

Before 8 a.m. on Monday morning, Morris, accompanied by his attorney Mack Martin, turned himself in to Osage County authorities and was taken into custody.

He was reportedly released on a $50,000 bond and will appear at a preliminary hearing on May 9. Martin told the Associated Press that he anticipated Morris entering a plea of not guilty to the charges. Morris could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge.

The charges stem for allegations brought by Cindy Clemishire last year.

Clemishire has accused Morris of sexually abusing her in the 1980s, starting when she was 12 years old. Morris was allegedly a 21-year-old visiting evangelist. He was married, and he and his wife had a young child.

Morris resigned after the allegations became public through Clemishire’s account published by The Wartburg Watch on June 14, 2024.

Prior to Clemishire making her report public, Morris has previously described their interactions as “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady.”

Nic Lesmeister, an executive pastor at Gateway, told the congregation over the weekend that “Gateway is no longer involved in this legal matter.”

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He acknowledged that the indictment likely “stirred up a lot of emotion” for the congregation, adding that the church wants to pray for and counsel anyone who needs it.

Because Gateway is “moving forward,” Lesmeister said it “won’t be continuing to update you on the proceedings of the case.” He added that church leaders would continue to pray for all those involved in the case.

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