Texas Megachurch Founder Indicted in Oklahoma on Child Abuse Charges

Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, a prominent Texas megachurch, has been indicted in Oklahoma on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, following allegations of abuse that date back to the 1980s. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly began when the victim was 12 years old and continued for four years while Morris was a traveling evangelist. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the severity of the case, noting the exploitation of trust inherent in Morris's position as a pastor. Morris resigned from his church in 2024 after the allegations resurfaced, and the church expressed support for the victim and those affected. The statute of limitations does not apply, as Morris was not an Oklahoma resident during the time of the alleged abuse. The indictment reflects a broader push for accountability in cases of child sexual abuse within religious institutions.