DALLAS — A former pastor of a Texas megachurch who resigned after a girl accused him of sexually abusing her within the Nineteen Eighties has been indicted in Oklahoma on kid sexual abuse fees, that state’s lawyer common’s place of business mentioned Wednesday.
Robert Preston Morris, 63, has been charged with 5 counts of lewd or indecent acts with a kid.
The alleged abuse began in 1982 when the sufferer, referred to within the indictment as C.C., was once 12 years previous and Morris was once a touring evangelist staying in Hominy, Oklahoma, along with her circle of relatives, in keeping with the lawyer common’s place of business. The abuse allegedly persisted for 4 years.
Cindy Clemishire, Morris’ accuser, mentioned in a remark that she may be very thankful to the government who’ve labored to make the indictment conceivable and is hopeful “justice will in the long run be triumphant.”
“After virtually 43 years, the legislation has in any case stuck up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he dedicated towards me as a kid,” mentioned Clemishire, now 55. “Now, it’s time for the prison device to carry him responsible.”
The Related Press in most cases does now not identify individuals who say they’ve been sexually assaulted, however Clemishire mentioned she would really like her identify incorporated.
Telephone numbers related to Morris have been both disconnected or messages weren’t right away returned Wednesday. It was once unclear whether or not he has an lawyer.
“There will also be no tolerance for many who sexually prey on youngsters,” Legal professional Common Gentner Drummond mentioned in a remark. “This situation is all of the extra despicable for the reason that alleged offender was once a pastor who exploited his place. The sufferer on this case has waited some distance too a few years for justice to be executed.”
The Gateway Church, based totally within the Dallas suburb of Southlake, was once based through Morris in 2000. It mentioned in a remark Wednesday that its individuals are praying for Clemishire and “all of the ones impacted through this horrible scenario.”
“We’re acutely aware of the movements being taken through the prison government in Oklahoma and are thankful for the paintings of the justice device in keeping abusers answerable for their movements,” the remark mentioned.
Morris resigned ultimate 12 months from the church after allegations got here to mild at the non secular watchdog weblog The Wartburg Watch.
Clemishire instructed The Dallas Morning Information ultimate 12 months that she met Morris in 1981, when he was once a touring preacher and started preaching at her circle of relatives’s church in Oklahoma. She mentioned Morris and his spouse and younger son become with reference to her circle of relatives. She mentioned he was once staying at her area in 1982 when the abuse started.
The church has more than one places within the space. It is without doubt one of the greatest in the USA, in keeping with the lawyer common’s place of business.
Morris was once identified to be politically lively. The church hosted President Donald Trump on its Dallas campus in 2020 for a dialogue on race members of the family and the economic system.
Morris may withstand two decades in jail for each and every of the 5 fees, in keeping with the lawyer common’s place of business. He was once now not in custody as of Wednesday.
