SOUTHLAKE, TX – March 12, 2025 - Robert Morris, the prominent founder of Gateway Church in Texas and a one-time spiritual advisor to former President Donald Trump, has been indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury on serious charges of child sexual abuse. The five-count indictment, unsealed this week, accuses Morris of lewd or indecent acts with a child under the age of 16, stemming from alleged incidents in the 1980s.
Morris, a well-known figure in evangelical circles, stepped down from his role as senior pastor of Gateway Church last year amid mounting scrutiny. His resignation followed public admissions of what he described as "inappropriate sexual behavior" in his past. At the time, Morris, now 63, did not elaborate on the specifics of the allegations but expressed regret in a statement released by the church, one of the largest megachurches in the United States.
The Oklahoma grand jury’s decision marks a significant escalation in the case, bringing formal criminal charges against the former pastor. Authorities have not yet released detailed information about the alleged victim or the precise nature of the incidents, citing the sensitivity of the case and the ongoing investigation. However, legal experts anticipate that more details will emerge as the case progresses through the courts.
Gateway Church, headquartered in Southlake, Texas, has grown under Morris’s leadership into a sprawling network with multiple campuses and a weekly attendance numbering in the tens of thousands. Morris’s high-profile connections, including his role as a spiritual confidant to Trump during the former president’s time in office, added to his national prominence. His indictment is likely to send shockwaves through both religious and political communities.
The charges come at a time when faith-based institutions across the country are facing increased scrutiny over allegations of abuse and cover-ups. Morris’s case adds to a growing list of prominent religious leaders confronting legal and moral reckonings for past actions.
Morris has not yet publicly commented on the indictment. His legal team is expected to enter a plea at an upcoming arraignment in Oklahoma. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, with each count carrying severe penalties under state law. 17GEN4.com
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