A Tennessee jury convicted traveling minister Benjamin Garlick, 35, and his wife, Shaantal Garlick, 32, for the long-term sexual abuse and neglect of children, starting with an investigation launched in August 2023 by the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Following a two-week trial, Benjamin Garlick was found guilty of multiple counts of aggravated rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, and other charges, resulting in a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Shaantal Garlick was convicted of facilitation of aggravated rape and aggravated child neglect.
The investigation into the couple, who had traveled extensively across the country for a ministry focused on the Hispanic community, ultimately uncovered multiple victims abused over several years when one child was just five years old. Following the verdicts, Shaantal Garlick was taken into custody, and both are currently held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center as Benjamin awaits further sentencing on remaining convictions in November.