Texas Megachurch Founder Freed After 6 Months for Child Sex Abuse

Robert Preston Morris pleaded guilty to abusing a 12-year-old in the 1980s and was released from an Oklahoma jail.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:51pm

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The founder of a Texas megachurch, Robert Preston Morris, was released from an Oklahoma jail on Tuesday after serving just 6 months of a 10-year suspended sentence for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. Morris pleaded guilty last year to 5 counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child as part of a plea deal.

Why it matters

The case has raised concerns about the light sentence and early release for a high-profile religious leader convicted of child sex abuse, as well as questions about accountability and transparency within large megachurches.

The details

According to prosecutors, the abuse began in 1982 when the victim, Cindy Clemishire, was 12 years old and Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Morris was the senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, one of the nation's largest megachurches, until resigning in 2024 when the allegations surfaced. As part of his plea deal, Morris must register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities.

  • Morris pleaded guilty in October 2025.
  • Morris was released from jail just after midnight on April 1, 2026, after serving 6 months of his 10-year suspended sentence.

The players

Robert Preston Morris

The 64-year-old founder of the Texas megachurch Gateway Church, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s.

Cindy Clemishire

The victim, who was 12 years old when the abuse began in 1982 and is now in her 50s.

Gentner Drummond

The Oklahoma Attorney General whose office prosecuted the case against Morris.

Jeff Leach

A Dallas-based attorney who represents Clemishire and says she plans to continue seeking justice through civil courts.

Bill Mateja

One of Morris' attorneys, who released a statement on his behalf apologizing to Clemishire and her family.

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What they’re saying

“What I did to Cindy decades ago was wrong. There is no other word for it, and there is no excuse for it. I am deeply sorry.”

— Robert Preston Morris

“Justice has finally been served, and the man who manipulated, groomed and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl is finally going to be behind bars.”

— Cindy Clemishire, Victim

“She rightfully seeks full accountability not only for Robert and the crimes he committed against her as a young child, but also for the other individuals who harbored him, covered for him, lied for him and even in some cases attacked Cindy on his behalf.”

— Jeff Leach, Attorney for Cindy Clemishire

What’s next

Clemishire plans to continue seeking justice through civil courts, and Morris will be supervised by Texas authorities and required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The takeaway

This case has sparked outrage over the light sentence and early release for a high-profile religious leader convicted of child sex abuse, raising questions about accountability and transparency within large megachurches and the criminal justice system's handling of such cases.