Texas megachurch founder Morris makes initial court appearance
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PAWHUSKA, Okla. — Robert Morris, the founder of Dallas-area megachurch Gateway who is charged with child sex abuse, made an initial court appearance Friday at the Osage County Courthouse in Oklahoma. His preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 4.
Morris was indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child, according to the office of Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Morris could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the five charges, according to the attorney general’s office.
Morris turned himself in March 17 and was released on a $50,000 bond, according to Osage County officials. Morris entered a not guilty plea, according to court records.
Last June, Cindy Clemishire publicly alleged that Morris sexually abused her from the ages of 12 to 17 in the 1980s in Oklahoma. She shared her story in a June 14 story in Christian blog The Wartburg Watch.
Morris has provided one public statement on Clemishire’s story. He shared a statement with The Christian Post for a June 15 article, and he admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady.” He resigned from the church he founded on June 18, 2024.
On Friday morning, Morris walked toward the Osage County Courthouse, accompanied by his wife, Debbie Morris, and his attorney, Mack Martin. Robert Morris was asked whether he could comment.“I’m sorry, I can’t,” Morris said.“He’s not talking,” Martin said.Morris has not responded to letters and at least five phone calls from The Dallas Morning News seeking comment. The News called two phone numbers listed in public records for Morris on May 7 and left a voicemail at one of them and did not receive a response. The News asked Martin for comment on Friday, and he did not respond.On Friday, Morris’ appearance in front of Judge Cindy Pickerill lasted about a minute. As Morris and his wife sat in the back of the courtroom, Martin asked the judge to schedule a preliminary hearing, which she set for Sept. 4.“Is there anything else?” the judge asked.“No, Your Honor,” Martin said.Clemishire sat in the courtroom with her parents and older sister, Karen Black. They were joined by Clemishire’s friends, including Tracy Jungels and Robin Turney. Jungels and Turney have known Clemishire for over 30 years. Clemishire declined to comment.
Drummond, Oklahoma’s attorney general, was in the courtroom but declined to comment through a spokesperson.
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