The founder of a Texas megachurch, who stepped down last year after facing allegations from an Oklahoma woman about sexual abuse in the 1980s, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of indecency with a child. This plea came during a court appearance on Thursday.
Robert Preston Morris, aged 64, accepted the plea in Osage County, Oklahoma, as part of a judicial agreement, as reported by the state attorney general’s office.
According to a statement from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the abuse began in 1982 when the victim was just 12 years old, while Morris was a traveling evangelist in Hominy, Oklahoma. The assaults reportedly continued for four years.
Morris served as a senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, which is among the largest megachurches in the nation, until he resigned following the allegations. Earlier this year, he was charged in Oklahoma.
As part of the judicial agreement, Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence and will spend the first six months in the Osage County Jail.
On Thursday, Morris was escorted from the court in handcuffs, dressed in a suit, by two sheriff’s deputies.
The victim, Cindy Kremisher, now 55, expressed a sense of justice, stating, “Justice will finally be served and the man who manipulated, groomed and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl will finally be behind bars.”
The Associated Press typically does not identify victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward, as Kremisher has.
“I hope many victims are listening and find the strength to speak out,” she remarked. “I wish for continued changes in the law to better protect children and victims, because the only way to prevent child sexual abuse is to voice concerns when it occurs or is suspected.”
Morris is required to register as a sex offender, and Texas will oversee his compliance through an interstate compact. He must also cover costs related to his incarceration and pay for the victim’s medical expenses and compensation.
Bill Mateja, representing Morris, stated that Morris aimed to take responsibility for his actions and resolve the legal situation for everyone involved. “He has accepted accountability in God’s eyes and believes that this acceptance is reflected in the church,” Mateja added, mentioning that Morris is also genuinely sorry for what he did.
In response to the allegations discussed last year, Morris had noted in a statement that, as a young man, he had “engaged in inappropriate behavior” with a young woman at his residence, acknowledging it was wrong but downplaying the interactions.
Robert Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000 and has been politically active, even serving on President Trump’s evangelical advisory board at one point.
The church hosted discussions about race relations and economic issues during a Trump event in 2020.
A comment was not provided by Gateway Church on Thursday.
The plea was entered before Osage County District Judge Cindy Piqueril. Attorney General Drummond remarked, “There is no tolerance for those who prey on children, and it is particularly egregious when someone in a position of trust and authority exploits that role. This victim waited far too long for this moment.”
