According to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, Gateway Church founder Robert Morris is charged with five counts of child sexual abuse in Oklahoma.
As reported By Dallas Morning News, The indictment follows an allegation made by Cindi Cremicia last year, claiming that Morris abused her from the ages 12 to 17 in the 1980s.
“Nearly 43 years later, the law finally caught up with Robert Morris due to the horrific crime he committed against me as a child,” Kremisher told the News Wednesday.
“Now is the time for the legal system to hold him accountable,” she said. “My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have made tireless efforts to make this day possible and continue to hope that justice will ultimately win.”
Clemisher filed a lawsuit against Morris in 2007. she It was briefly represented by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“Tolerance is impossible for people who sexually prey on children,” Drummond said in a news release Wednesday. “This case is even more despicable as the perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case had been waiting for years for justice. I'll do it. ”
In a statement to the news, Tra Willbanks, chairman of Gateway's Elders Committee, confirmed that the church is aware of the charges.
“We are grateful for the work of the judicial system that holds abusers accountable for their actions,” he said.
“We continue to pray for Cindy Kremisher and her family, for members and staff at Gateway Church, and for all those affected by this horrifying situation.”
After the claims were made public, Gateway announced that it had hired a law firmHaynes Boone, We will independently investigate such claims.
During the November service, Willbanks explained that at least four elders and numerous staff members in light of the investigation had at least “some degree” knowledge about Morris' abuse allegations.
Willbanks added that Gateway is supporting criminal investigations That was Apart from Current Church Leadership. Furthermore, he He claimed that Gateway had a “cultural failure.”
“We must be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that our culture has allowed this truth I'll be buried For a long time, Wilbanks spoke about Morris' alleged abuse.
Following Morris' resignation, the Gateway has Face a lot Challenges including losses About a quarter of weekly attendees following the scandal.
prior to Morris' departure, several staff members told the news that the church has a “narcissistic” culture. There was a silence of criticism and the staff left enduring trauma.
“I think we will continue to get better because of these lessons. We are He said he learned it over the past eight months.
Related Articles: Morris' son and Gateway Church elders temporarily resign amid investigation into sexual abuse
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Robert Morris
It was originally released on March 13th, 2025.
