Not a Drag Queen
DATELINE: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A man who preaches across the country, including in Tennessee, is behind bars for child rape. Benjamin Garlick faces 12 charges, including five counts of aggravated rape of a child 8 years old or younger and five counts of aggravated sexual battery of a minor under the age of 13. Garlick’s wife, Shaantal, was also charged with facilitation and aggravated child neglect.
Garlick was indicted on Sept. 12 and remains in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $750,000 bond. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office told News 2 Garlick’s wife, Shaantal, bonded out two days after she was booked in jail on a $75,000 bond.
News 2 reached out to a Murfreesboro pastor who wished to remain anonymous. He told News 2 that he’s known Garlick since he was a child. He said he is a father with a role model family. He said he recently visited Garlick in jail and is not ready to go on camera until Garlick is proven guilty.
Prior to Garlick’s arrest, he led church services in Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama and Arkansas, just to name a few. The suspect spoke Spanish fluently and frequented Spanish speaking congregations, events and organizations. Over the past few years, Garlick amassed thousands of views on YouTube and Facebook as a guest pastor, speaking at a variety of churches both large and small throughout the country.
Shaantal Garlick, who is free after posting a $75-thousand bond, was in court just one month prior to her arrest. Mrs. Garlick filed for an Order of Protection against Benjamin Garlick last month on August 14, 2023.
The investigation is ongoing. It is unclear on the number of victims, how Garlick knew them, or when the alleged rapes occurred.
