Gateway Church Case Leads Texas Lawmakers Call for Tougher Punishments in Child Sex Prosecutions

News accounts about child sex abuse allegations often draw heavy attention from the public. The spotlight is even brighter when the accused individual is a clergy member in a prominent religious institution. Often when this type of scandal hits, lawmakers react by proposing legislation aimed at deterring similar misconduct.  

When Founding Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church resigned following allegations from a woman who claimed he abused her as a youth, the shockwaves were felt in Texas and across the country. The church, headquartered in Southlake, has more than 100,000 members who attend services in nine locations. Now, some Texas lawmakers are calling for significant changes to the state’s legal framework, including harsher sentences for people convicted of sexual assault. 

State Representative Steve Toth and some of his colleagues have suggested several changes to make the state’s sex crime laws tougher, such as:

• Revising the statute of limitations for some sex crimes — As in the Gateway case, many victims of sexual abuse do not come forward until years later, often due to fear, shame or trauma associated with the incident. While no statute of limitations exists for crimes involving the sexual assault of a child, some lawmakers want to extend this rule to cover cases where the victim is 18 or older. The current Texas statute of limitations for sexual assault against an adult is 10 years.

• Increasing the number of mandatory reporters — According to news accounts, Morris told the Gateway Church board that while in his 20s at another church he had an inappropriate relationship with a younger woman. However, board members claim he misled them by implying that the alleged victim was an adult at the time. Had they been aware of illegal sexual contact, the board members would not be subject to the state’s mandatory reporter law. Some legislators have gone on the record saying that mandatory reporter laws should be expanded so that church board members and others in similar positions of authority are compelled to speak with police if they learn of unlawful sexual activity. 

• Enhancing penalties — Some state representatives are also seeking to increase penalties for those convicted of sexual abuse, particularly in cases involving children.  

While it is crucial to hold perpetrators accountable, high-profile sex abuse cases and expanded criminal statues can lead to overcharging and unjust prosecutions. If you’ve been accused of any type of sex crime, it is critical to retain a proven defense attorney who has successfully handled these sensitive cases. 

Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio safeguards the fundamental rights of Texans accused of sex crimes and other serious criminal charges. To schedule a consultation with a Board-certified Texas criminal law attorney, please call +12102239480 or contact us online. 

By Kevin L. Collins | Published March 1, 2025 | Posted in Criminal Case, Sex crime | Tagged Child Sex, Prosecutions, Punishments