Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Southlake-based megachurch Gateway Church, is set to make his first court appearance in front of an Oklahoma judge Friday at 10 a.m. as he faces five different counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child .
Here鈥檚 everything you need to known about Morris鈥� case and what his initial hearing could mean for him.
The accusations
Morris first faced accusations nearly a year ago from Cindy Clemishire, who told religious blog The Wartburg Watch Morris abused her when she was 12 years old in 1982. The abuse lasted for more than four years when Clemishire resided in Oklahoma, she said.
Morris, 63, resigned last June after admitting to 鈥渟exual inappropriate behavior鈥� with a child
鈥淲hen I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years,鈥� Morris told the news outlet.
It鈥檚 the only public statement Morris has made amid the claims and has not responded to previous requests for comment from 四虎影院.
四虎影院 also reached out to Morris鈥� attorneys and will update this story with any response.
The indictments and arrest
Morris was officially indicted by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma City in March where he was with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
鈥淭here can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,鈥� Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said at the time. 鈥淭his 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.鈥�
The disgraced pastor turned himself in to officials in Osage County shortly after. Court records show an Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond and ordered Morris to surrender his passport. Morris was in jail for about 14 minutes before being released on bond,
The statute of limitations is not applicable in this case because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time,
What does Friday鈥檚 hearing mean for Morris?
Morris鈥� pre-preliminary hearing on Friday gives him the chance to the meet with his defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge before the formal preliminary hearing. His attorneys can try and work out a plea deal, but if one isn't offered or Morris chooses not to accept a plea offer, he will be scheduled for a preliminary hearing.
Court records show Morris has pleaded not guilty. If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each charge.
Penelope Rivera is 四虎影院's breaking news reporter. Got a tip? Email Penelope Rivera at privera@kera.org.
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