Trending Now - Texas Megachurch Leader Released After Six Months in Jail

WHO:

CNN - Robert Preston Morris, 64, is the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

CNN - Cindy Clemishire is the victim of Morris's abuse, now in her 50s.

CNN - Gentner Drummond is the Oklahoma Attorney General who prosecuted the case.

CNN - Bill Mateja is one of Morris' attorneys.

WHAT:

CNN - Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

CNN - Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months served in jail.

CNN - Morris was ordered to pay costs of incarceration and restitution to the victim.

CNN - Morris must register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities.

WHERE:

CNN - Morris was incarcerated in Osage County Jail, Oklahoma.

CNN - Gateway Church is located in Southlake, Texas.

WHEN:

CNN - Morris was released from jail on March 31st, 2026.

CNN - The abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 years old.

CNN - Morris resigned from Gateway Church in June 2024.

WHY:

CNN - Morris resigned after facing allegations of sexual abuse from the victim.

HOW:

CNN - Morris's guilty plea was part of a plea agreement.

(UPDATED March 31, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, resulting in a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months to be served in jail. Morris, who was incarcerated in Osage County Jail, Oklahoma, has been ordered to pay restitution to his victim, Cindy Clemishire, and must register as a sex offender under Texas supervision. Morris resigned from his church in June 20th24 after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced, with the abuse dating back to 1982 when Clemishire was just 12 years old.