MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The trial for a traveling minister and his estranged wife facing numerous child sex abuse charges has been delayed. Benjamin Garlick, 34, was originally slated to appear before a jury this week in Rutherford County, but court records now indicate the trial has been rescheduled for August 3, 2026.

Judge Barry Tidwell has set aside seven days for the proceedings, which involve a combined 20 felony counts against the couple.

The investigation into Benjamin Garlick was launched in 2023 by detectives with the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. The probe initially resulted in the arrest of Garlick and his wife, Shaantal, on charges of child sexual abuse and criminal facilitation. In 2024, a Grand Jury indictment added several more counts to the case.

Benjamin Garlick currently faces 16 felonies, including:

• Seven counts of aggravated rape of a child

• Six counts of aggravated sexual battery

• One count of soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor under 13

• Two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child

  

Shaantal Garlick is charged with four felonies, including two counts of facilitation of a felony and two counts of aggravated child abuse, neglect, or endangerment involving a child aged eight or younger at the time of the alleged incidents.

Prior to their arrests, the Garlicks were known for their traveling ministry, frequently visiting religious organizations across Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Arkansas. The couple, who resided in the Blackman area of Murfreesboro, often traveled as a family. Benjamin Garlick, who is fluent in Spanish, focused much of his outreach on Hispanic congregations in various inner-city areas.

Online footage of Garlick’s sermons has garnered thousands of views on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, documenting his appearances as a guest pastor at various churches nationwide.

While the couple remains estranged—with one party having filed for divorce—Tennessee law provides limited protection regarding spousal testimony in this case. While spouses are generally shielded from testifying against one another, that privilege is waived in proceedings involving the abuse of minor children.

The investigation remains open, though authorities have not released information regarding potential additional charges. The current counts are tied to alleged incidents dating back to 2021. A total of 15 witnesses are expected to testify when the trial begins this August at 9:00 AM.

Photo below article L to R: Benjamin Garlick, 34 and  Shaantal Garlick, 32 

See previous news article HERE.

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