DALLAS – Robert Preston Morris, former pastor of Gateway Church, has been indicted in Oklahoma on five counts of child sexual abuse, according to the state attorney general’s office. The charges stem from alleged abuse that began in 1982 when the victim, Cindy Clemishire, was 12 years old. Morris, then a traveling evangelist, was staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma.

Clemishire, now 55, expressed gratitude to authorities and stated, “Justice is finally catching up with Robert Morris after 43 years.” The Gateway Church, which Morris founded in 2000, issued a statement supporting the justice process and expressing concern for those affected.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond condemned the alleged crimes, emphasizing that abuse by religious leaders is particularly egregious. Morris, known for his political connections, previously hosted Donald Trump at his church in 2020.

Morris resigned from Gateway Church in 2024 after the allegations surfaced on The Wartburg Watch, a religious watchdog blog. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years per charge. As of Wednesday, Morris had not been taken into custody.