Tennessee Pastor Sentenced to Life for Child Rape, Wife Convicted of Facilitation

A Tennessee pastor, who dedicated years to a traveling ministry across the nation, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the rape of a child. His wife was also found guilty of aiding in the abuse, authorities have confirmed.

Benjamin Garlick, 35, faced a two-week trial in Rutherford County, culminating in a guilty verdict on Monday for seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor, and two violations of Tennessee's Child Protection Act.

Convictions and Sentencing Details

Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell imposed a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for Garlick's aggravated rape convictions, as reported by the Murfreesboro Police Department. Garlick is scheduled for further sentencing on November 10 for his remaining convictions.

His wife, Shaantal Garlick, 32, was convicted of two counts of facilitation of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect. Her sentencing hearing is also set for November 10.

The intricate case commenced in August 2023 when the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Special Victims Unit initiated an investigation into the sexual abuse of a child, who was only five years old at the time. Law enforcement officials indicated that the abuse had spanned several years.

As detectives delved deeper into the allegations, they successfully identified two additional victims, according to police statements.

Investigation Uncovers Neglect and Assistance in Abuse

Investigators determined that Shaantal Garlick knowingly neglected a victim in a manner that jeopardized the child's health and welfare and actively assisted in the sexual abuse, police affirmed.

Following the convictions, Detective James Wilkinson, the lead investigator, expressed gratitude, stating, "The Murfreesboro Police Department thanks all members of the Child Protective Investigative Team (CPIT) for their tireless work throughout this investigation and trial, ensuring the victims’ voices were heard and justice was served."

Wilkinson further emphasized the positive impact of the team's efforts: "The children of Rutherford County are safer because of the compassion, dedication, and commitment each member of the CPIT Team brings to their roles every day."

Public Ministry Contrasted with Private Crimes

Benjamin Garlick’s public life as a minister presented a stark contrast to the heinous crimes for which he was found guilty. Murfreesboro police investigations revealed that he had spent multiple years traveling as a minister, primarily engaging with the Hispanic community, and that he and his wife had journeyed across the country.

Reports indicated that Garlick was involved in the operation of La Espada, a Murfreesboro-based ministry tailored for Spanish speakers. Online videos and images reportedly depicted Garlick and his sermons connecting with various congregations in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas.

The couple’s biographies, which were formerly featured on La Espada’s website and are still accessible through the Internet Archive, highlighted their deep familial ties to the ministry. The site noted that La Espada was founded by Benjamin Garlick’s grandfather, Rolando Garlick, and showed Benjamin working within the ministry under the guidance of his late father, Daniel Garlick, since at least 2015.

Benjamin Garlick's own account detailed his early travels with his father, his youthful calling to ministry, and his subsequent role as an evangelist. Shaantal Garlick wrote that she met Benjamin at a youth conference when she was 18 and described her calling as serving God full-time alongside her husband, working with La Espada to spread the Gospel within the Hispanic community.

Case Progression and Public Appeal

Benjamin and Shaantal Garlick were initially arrested in September 2023. The scope of the case expanded, leading a Rutherford County grand jury to reindict the couple in March 2024, according to Murfreesboro police.

As the investigation progressed, Special Victims Unit detectives issued a public appeal, urging potential victims to come forward, particularly those within the Hispanic community.

Shaantal Garlick, who had previously been released on bond, was taken into custody following Monday's verdict. Both she and her husband are currently held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.