Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Texas, surrendered to Oklahoma authorities on charges of child sexual abuse.

Following his indictment on multiple lewd acts with a child, Morris turned himself in to face allegations from incidents in the 1980s, the Christian Post reported.

The indictment, handed down last Wednesday by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma, charged Morris with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Morris, who established Gateway Church located in Southlake, Texas, is now confronting serious accusations that date back over three decades.

On Monday morning, Morris followed legal procedures and surrendered at the Osage County Sheriff's Office. Officials recorded his booking at 7:57 a.m. and released him on a $50,000 bail bond by 8:11 a.m. This swift booking process set the stage for his legal journey ahead.

Community Reacts to Charges Against Church Founder

The charges stem from allegations by Cindy Clemishire, who asserts that Morris sexually abused her starting when she was 12 years old during the 1980s. The long-lasting impact of these allegations culminated in Morris's resignation from his role at Gateway Church last June, soon after the allegations became public.

Gateway Church has since made efforts to distance itself from Morris, clarifying that he no longer has formal ties with the institution. Nic Lesmeister, the executive pastor of global outreach at Gateway Church, emphasized the church's decision to move forward, independent of Morris's legal troubles.

Lesmeister stated, "Last November, our elders made it clear that we had drawn a bright line as a church, and we were moving forward. And because we're moving forward, and Gateway is no longer involved in this legal matter, we won't be continuing to update you on the proceedings of the case, but we're continuing to pray for everybody that's involved and affected in this matter."

Oklahoma Attorney General Emphasizes Severity of Allegations

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed his dismay over the case, highlighting the gravity of Morris's position as a pastor when the alleged crimes occurred. Drummond, who represented Clemishire in past legal dealings against Morris, failed to secure a settlement, leading to the current charges.

Drummond's statement was forceful: "There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children. This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done."

Cindy Clemishire shared her relief and anticipation for justice following the indictment. "After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child. Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable," she said, expressing gratitude to the legal teams involved.

Legal Proceedings Set the Stage for Morris's Defense

Morris's attorney, Mack Martin, spoke to the media regarding the forthcoming legal proceedings. Martin indicated that Morris is expected to plead not guilty at his arraignment, which was scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.

"He expects to enter a not guilty plea on the megachurch founder’s behalf at an arraignment scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday," Martin told The Associated Press. This statement sets the stage for a legal battle that could illuminate unaddressed issues from decades ago.

The community and followers of Gateway Church await further developments as the case progresses, underscoring the complexities involved when allegations of this nature emerge against prominent figures. The outcome of this case could have significant implications, both legally and socially, as it unfolds.