DALLAS (AP) — A former pastor of a Texas megachurch who resigned after a girl accused him of sexually abusing her within the Eighties has been indicted in Oklahoma on baby sexual abuse expenses, that state’s legal professional common’s workplace mentioned Wednesday.
Robert Preston Morris, 63, has been charged with 5 counts of lewd or indecent acts with a toddler.
The alleged abuse began in 1982 when the sufferer, referred to within the indictment as C.C., was 12 years outdated and Morris was a touring evangelist staying in Hominy, Oklahoma, along with her household, in keeping with the legal professional common’s workplace. The abuse allegedly continued for 4 years.
Cindy Clemishire, Morris’ accuser, mentioned in a press release that she may be very grateful to the authorities who’ve labored to make the indictment doable and is hopeful “justice will finally prevail.”
“After nearly 43 years, the regulation has lastly caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he dedicated towards me as a toddler,” mentioned Clemishire, now 55. “Now, it’s time for the authorized system to carry him accountable.”
The Related Press usually doesn’t identify individuals who say they’ve been sexually assaulted, however Clemishire mentioned she would really like her identify included.
Telephone numbers related to Morris had been both disconnected or messages weren’t instantly returned Wednesday. It was unclear whether or not he has an legal professional.
“There may be no tolerance for individuals who sexually prey on youngsters,” Legal professional Basic Gentner Drummond mentioned in a press release. “This case is all of the extra despicable as a result of the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his place. The sufferer on this case has waited far too a few years for justice to be performed.”
The Gateway Church, primarily based within the Dallas suburb of Southlake, was based by Morris in 2000. It mentioned in a press release Wednesday that its members are praying for Clemishire and “all of these impacted by this horrible scenario.”
“We’re conscious of the actions being taken by the authorized authorities in Oklahoma and are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for his or her actions,” the assertion mentioned.
Morris resigned final 12 months from the church after allegations got here to gentle on the spiritual watchdog weblog The Wartburg Watch.
Clemishire instructed The Dallas Morning Information final 12 months that she met Morris in 1981, when he was a touring preacher and commenced preaching at her household’s church in Oklahoma. She mentioned Morris and his spouse and younger son grew to become near her household. She mentioned he was staying at her home in 1982 when the abuse started.
The church has a number of places within the space. It’s among the many largest in the US, in keeping with the legal professional common’s workplace.
Morris was recognized to be politically energetic. The church hosted President Donald Trump on its Dallas campus in 2020 for a dialogue on race relations and the financial system.
Morris might withstand 20 years in jail for every of the 5 expenses, in keeping with the legal professional common’s workplace. He was not in custody as of Wednesday.
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