Ex-Pastor Morris Released, Faces Sex Offender Status

0:00It's March 31st. You're listening to Dallas News today, AI-powered local news. Former North Texas make a church pastor, Robert Morris, walked out of an Oklahoma prison early Tuesday. He pleaded guilty last October to end decent conduct with a child tied to abuse from the 1980s. The judge hit him with a 10-year sentence, but suspended all but six months, so he's on probation now back in Texas. Morris founded Gateway Church in Southlake and let it for decades. He stepped down in June of 2024 after a woman in her 50s came forward. She says he abused her starting when she was just 12 years old, and he was 21, over four years across Oklahoma and Texas. She showed up at his plea hearing in Bajasca, Oklahoma, and shared her story in court. She called it a step toward justice after years of pain, stressing how speaking out can stop this kind of harm to kids. On top of probation, Morris has to register as a sex offender for life. Officials at Osage County Jail confirmed the release to local news partners.

1:03Several lawsuits are still in the works, like one from the woman and her dad against Morris in the church, plus his push for retirement cash from Gateway. This chapter is far from over as accountability keeps unfolding.