Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Indicted on Child Sex Crime Charges in Oklahoma

Indictment and Charges

• 🎯 Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church, has been indicted in Oklahoma on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child.
• 💡 The charges stem from alleged sexual abuse that began when the victim, Cindy Clemis Shire, was 12 years old in the early 1980s.
• ⚖️ Clemis Shire stated that the legal system must hold Morris accountable and expressed hope for justice.

Statute of Limitations and Jurisdiction

• 🗺️ Oklahoma's Attorney General stated that the statute of limitations does not apply because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at the time.
• 🏛️ This legal development occurred in Oklahoma, where Clemis Shire resides, contrasting with her previous belief that charges would not be filed in Texas.

Church Response and Potential Consequences

• 🙏 Gateway Church released a statement expressing gratitude for the justice system's work in holding abusers accountable and stated they continue to pray for Clemis Shire and her family.
• ⛓️ If found guilty, Morris could face prison time, with multiple counts potentially leading to life behind bars.
• 🤝 The Attorney General of Oklahoma was previously Clemis Shire's lawyer when she initially sought a settlement in 2007.