Morris pleaded guilty to five felony counts of child sexual abuse in Oklahoma, receiving a 10-year suspended sentence.
OSAGE COUNTY, Okla. — Gateway Church founder Robert Morris pleaded guilty Thursday to five felony charges of child sexual abuse in an Oklahoma court, according to Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
Morris, 64, entered his plea during a scheduled District Court Arraignment in Osage County. Video from the hearing showed Morris being handcuffed and taken to jail. He had previously maintained his innocence after being indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
The charges stem from allegations by Cindy Clemishire, who said Morris began sexually abusing her at her Oklahoma home on Christmas Day in 1982, when she was 12 years old. Clemishire has accused Morris of continuing the abuse for several years.
Under the plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence with the first six months to be served in the Osage County Jail. He must register as a sex offender and is ordered to pay his costs of incarceration, including any medical expenses, and restitution to the victim.
In a statement, Clemishire addressed the impact of Morris’ guilty plea.
“Today 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 said. “My hope is that many victims hear my story, and it can help lift their shame and allow them to speak up. I hope that laws continue to change and new ones are written so children and victims’ rights are better protected. I hope that people understand the only way to stop child sexual abuse is to speak up when it happens or is suspected.”
Morris admitted last year to being “involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady,” but did not acknowledge her age. He turned himself in to the authorities on March 17 and was later released on bond.
Morris resigned from his role as lead pastor of the Southlake-based megachurch last summer after Clemishire’s allegations became public. The fallout has since rocked Gateway, one of the largest churches in North Texas. The church has laid off staff amid a drop in donations, and several leaders, including Morris’ son James, have left.
The scandal also prompted an internal investigation that led to the removal of multiple elders. Gateway has since installed new leadership and appointed a new senior pastor.
Outside the criminal case, Morris has filed a lawsuit against Gateway, claiming the church owes him more than $1 million in deferred compensation and retirement benefits.
Clemishire has also filed a separate defamation lawsuit against Morris, his wife, and Gateway leadership, alleging they spread false statements to protect the church’s reputation.
“Today is a new beginning for me, my family and friends who have been by my side through this horrendous journey,” Clemishire said. “I leave this courtroom today not as a victim, but a survivor.”