Robert Morris, a former spiritual adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump and founding pastor of the Gateway megachurch in Texas, has pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts related to child sexual abuse. The 64-year-old evangelical leader admitted to five felony charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child, concluding a decades-long case that recently resurfaced through the testimony of his accuser.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Morris will serve six months in an Oklahoma county jail, pay $250,000 in restitution, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The charges stem from allegations brought by Cindy Clemishire, now 55, who revealed that Morris began abusing her in the 1980s when she was just 12 years old. Clemishire publicly came forward in 2023, prompting renewed investigation and ultimately leading to the charges filed against the influential pastor.
Morris rose to national prominence through Gateway Church, one of the largest megachurches in the United States, and through his ties to conservative political figures, including serving at times as an informal spiritual adviser to Donald Trump.
The guilty plea marks a significant fall from grace for a pastor who once held substantial influence across religious and political spheres. Authorities say the sentencing terms reflect both the gravity of the crimes and the long-delayed pursuit of justice for the survivor.
Clemishire’s attorneys described the plea as a critical step toward accountability, although they emphasized that no sentence can fully repair the harm inflicted.
Morris is expected to begin serving his jail term in the coming weeks.
