Robert Morris, Trump Adviser and Megachurch Founder, Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse
Robert Morris, a spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse from the 1980s, receiving six months in jail and probation. Victim Cindy Clemishire hopes her story inspires others.
Gateway Church founder pleads guilty to child sex abuse
World News Group
Texas pastor pleads guilty to sexually abusing girl in 1980s
Washington Examiner
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Overview
- Robert Morris, founder of a Texas megachurch and spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child sexual abuse that occurred from 1982-1987.
- The victim, Cindy Clemishire, publicly identified herself and was 12 years old when the abuse began, continuing for several years. She was present during Morris's plea.
- Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence, serving six months in jail. He will then serve nine and a half years of probation and must register as a sex offender.
- The scandal involving Morris, known for mobilizing evangelical voters, caused significant uproar within Gateway Church and the broader Christian community.
- Cindy Clemishire expressed that justice has been served and hopes her decision to speak out will encourage and inspire other sexual abuse survivors to come forward.
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Analysis
"A Texas pastor who founded one of the largest megachurch congregations in the country pleaded guilty on Thursday to sexually abusing a girl of 12 in Oklahoma in the 1980s."
BBC News"The case is particularly heinous because the perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position of trust and authority."
USA TODAY"The abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 and Morris was a traveling evangelist staying in Hominy, Oklahoma, with her family, according to the statement by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond."
Associated PressArticles (12)
FAQ
Robert Morris is the founder and former senior pastor of Gateway Church, a Texas megachurch. He was also a spiritual adviser to Donald Trump and a televangelist before resigning in 2024 amid sexual abuse accusations.
Robert Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, related to sexual abuse that occurred from 1982 to 1987. He received a 10-year suspended sentence, with six months in jail, followed by nine and a half years of probation, and he must register as a sex offender.
The victim is Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 years old when the abuse began. She publicly identified herself, was present during Morris's plea, and expressed that justice has been served. She hopes her story encourages other survivors to come forward.
Morris's scandal caused significant uproar within Gateway Church and the broader Christian evangelical community, given his influential role in mobilizing evangelical voters and leading a large megachurch.
The allegations surfaced publicly when Cindy Clemishire, the victim, accused Morris of sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s. Morris resigned from Gateway Church in 2024 following the accusations and was indicted in March 2025 before pleading guilty in October 2025.
History
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