Gateway Church Founder Indicted on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

The founder of a Texas megachurch who resigned as Senior Pastor last year has been indicted on five criminal counts involving a child. The indictments out of Oklahoma were announced on Wednesday.

Robert Morris founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas has been charged with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Morris resigned last year from his position at Gateway Church after admitting "inappropriate sexual behavior" in the 80's. He was accused of sexually abusing Cindy Clemishire, who came out publicly last year with the accusation.

According to NBC News, the alleged abuse began in December of 1982 when Morris was visiting Hominy, Oklahoma says the attorney general's office. Morris would have been 21 at the time while Clemishire would have been 12 years old.

No Statute of Limitations in This Case

The Dallas Morning News reports that even though the alleged abuse happened nearly 43 years ago, the Oklahoma Attorney General's office does not believe that the statute of limitations has expired.

In a Wednesday news release, the Oklahoma Attorney General said that was not the case, as “Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time,” according to the release.

Gateway Church Responds to the Indictment

The Dallas Morning News reports that Tra Willbanks, chair of Gateway's elder board said that the church was aware of the indictment and "grateful" for the work done by the justice system.

“We are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions,” he said.

“We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church and for all those impacted by this terrible situation.”

The Attorney General's office claims the abuse lasted for four years.