Benjamin Garlick, a 35-year-old traveling pastor, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of raping three girls under the age of eight. His wife, Shaantal Garlick, 32, was convicted of facilitating aggravated child rape and aggravated child neglect in connection with the same incidents.
The Murfreesboro Police Department launched an investigation into the couple in August 2023, after receiving a report that Benjamin Garlick may have sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl in 2021. During the investigation, authorities identified two additional child victims. Shaantal Garlick was found to have knowingly neglected one of the victims, impacting the child’s health and welfare, and assisted in the commission of the sexual abuse.
The crimes reportedly occurred between July 2014 and August 2023. The three victims were all under the age of eight. They testified during the two-week trial.
Benjamin Garlick was associated with the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist movement. He and his wife, along with their six children, had preached across the U.S., with congregations in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas. Most recently, they were connected to La Espada, a ministry for Spanish speakers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which has since closed. Archived church websites indicated that Benjamin Garlick's grandfather, Rolando, founded the ministry.
In 2022, the family used a GoFundMe campaign to solicit donations for a new "ministry van," stating a need for a vehicle large enough to accommodate their family of eight for their preaching travels. Benjamin Garlick described prayers for a vehicle, recounting how his wife's faith led to them acquiring a van.
Shaantal Garlick filed for divorce from Benjamin Garlick following the convictions. Both are scheduled for sentencing on November 10.