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OKLAHOMA CITY — The founder of a Texas megachurch who pleaded guilty last year to sexually abusing a young girl in the 1980s wasreleased from an Oklahoma jailon Tuesday, March 31, after completing his six-month sentence, court records show.
Robert Preston Morris, 64, completed 180 days of a jail sentence in Osage County, where the crimes occurred more than 40 years ago, according to court records. Following his release from jail, Morris will remain on probation for 9 1/2 years and must register as a sex offender.
As part of his sentencing, Morris also agreed to pay $270,000 in restitution to the victim, Cindy Clemishire, who in court called him "a pedophile, disguised as a preacher." In October 2025, Morrispleaded guilty to five felony countsof lewd or indecent acts to a child as part of a plea agreement.
The abuse began in December 1982 when the victim was 12 years old and Morris, then in his 20s, was a traveling evangelist who was staying at her family's home in Oklahoma, according to prosecutors. Clemishire said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987.
At the time of his conviction, Morris did not apologize in court. Through his attorney, Morris later released a statement accepting that what he did was wrong.
"There is no other word for it, and there is no excuse for it. I am deeply sorry," he wrote, addressing his comments to the victim and her family.
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Before his crimes came to light, Morris was a spiritual adviser to PresidentDonald Trump. He laterresigned as senior pastorof Gateway Church.
Morris founded the church in Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth, in 2000. Under his leadership, it expanded to multiple locations.
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Hisdeparture from the churchcame after Clemishire went public with her story toThe Wartburg Watch, a blog about sexual abuse within the church. In October 2025, Osage County Special Judge Cindy Pickerill accepted the plea deal after Clemshire acknowledged she had been consulted about it and agreed with the punishment.
The probation is considered a suspended sentence under the plea agreement, which means Morris is now a convicted felon. He could go to prison if he violates the conditions of his probation.
CBS News reported that Morris plans toserve out his probation in Texasat his lakefront home west of Dallas.
"I intend to live quietly and with integrity, and to be the kind of husband, father, grandfather, and man who reflects that mercy in how he treats others," Morris wrote in his statement.
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Victim continues to seek 'full accountability' through civil courts
Clemishirepreviously told USA TODAYthat she decided to come forward publicly to encourage others who may be victims to tell their stories. In her victim impact statement during the October 2025 proceedings, Clemishire said Morris sexually abused her for more than four years.
"While you built a megachurch, authored books, and gained fame, I dropped out of college, endured divorces, (and) struggled with self-worth," she told Morris in a voice choked with emotion, later adding that his crimes "wounded faith itself" and that she hopes he genuinely repents.
An attorney for Clemishire, Jeff Leach, said in a statement that Clemishire plans to continue to seek accountability and justice through civil courts.
"While the criminal justice system continues to hold Robert accountable for his heinous crimes and seeks to protect potential future victims through close monitoring and probation limitations, Cindy will continue to fully pursue justice via the civil justice system," Leach said. "She rightfully seeks full accountability not only for Robert and the crimes he committed against her as a young child, but also for the other individuals who harbored him, covered for him, lied for him and even in some cases attacked Cindy on his behalf."
Contributing: Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman; Jonathan Limehouse and James Powel, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman:Robert Morris, megachurch founder, released from Oklahoma jail
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