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

A Tennessee pastor who once traveled the nation spreading his ministry has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after a jury found him guilty of multiple child sexual offenses. His wife was also convicted for her role in facilitating the abuse.

Pastor Convicted of Heinous Crimes

Benjamin Garlick, 35, was found guilty on Monday following a two-week trial in Rutherford County. The jury returned verdicts of guilty on 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. Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell handed down the life sentence for the aggravated rape convictions, with no possibility of parole, as confirmed by the Murfreesboro Police Department. Sentencing for the remaining charges is scheduled for November 10.

Garlick’s wife, 32-year-old Shaantal Garlick, was convicted of two counts of facilitation of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect. Her sentencing is also set for November 10.

Investigation Uncovers Years of Abuse

The investigation into Benjamin Garlick’s crimes began in August 2023, initiated by the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. Authorities were alerted to the sexual abuse of a child who was only five years old at the time the offenses started, with the abuse reportedly spanning several years. As detectives delved deeper into the case, they uncovered evidence implicating two additional victims.

Investigators also determined that Shaantal Garlick had knowingly neglected a victim in a manner that compromised the child’s health and welfare, and that she had actively assisted in the sexual abuse. Lead investigator Detective James Wilkinson expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the Child Protective Investigative Team (CPIT), 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.” He added, “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.”

Ministry Work Contrasts with Criminal Convictions

Benjamin Garlick’s public life as a traveling minister presented a stark contrast to the horrific crimes for which he has been convicted. Murfreesboro police revealed that their investigation indicated he had spent years traveling across the country, primarily ministering to the Hispanic community. He and his wife were active in this outreach, with reports from WSMV indicating Garlick was involved in running La Espada, a Murfreesboro-based ministry serving Spanish speakers.

Online videos and images reportedly showed Garlick delivering sermons and engaging with churches in various states, including Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas. The couple’s deep ties to ministry work were highlighted in biographies previously featured on La Espada’s website, which are still accessible through the Internet Archive. These accounts detailed that La Espada was founded by Benjamin Garlick’s grandfather, Rolando Garlick. Benjamin had been working with the ministry under the guidance of his late father, Daniel Garlick, since at least 2015. Benjamin himself wrote about traveling with his father from a young age, feeling an early calling to ministry, and eventually becoming an evangelist.

Shaantal Garlick’s biography stated she met Benjamin at a youth conference at age 18 and felt her calling was to serve God full-time alongside her husband, working with La Espada to share the Gospel within the Hispanic community.

Legal Proceedings and Arrests

Benjamin and Shaantal Garlick were initially arrested in September 2023. The case continued to develop, leading to a reindictment by a Rutherford County grand jury in March 2024, according to Murfreesboro police. Throughout the investigation, detectives from the Special Victims Unit made public appeals for potential victims to come forward, with a particular emphasis on reaching out to individuals within the Hispanic community.

Following Monday’s verdict, Shaantal Garlick, who had been out on bond, was taken into custody. Both she and her husband are currently being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.